News
WW2 production and project
03 Sep 2011
The Finest Hour is a touring production for schools. A performance is accompanied with workshops with the cast. Plus there is the option of using a replica shelter as a teaching resource !
The production explores homelife during World War Two, through the eyes of a mother and child. Inspired by intergenerational participatory arts projects run by the Company, the production has been created by Bounce Theatre's Artistic Director, Louise Pendry and Associate Choreographer Apryl Pipe. Louise explains 'The idea for the Finest Hour came from reading extracts of Churchill's speeches. It seemed interesting to me to explore the idea from the perspective of 'home', how ordinary people demonstrated their own Finest Hour through their actions. This led to focusing in particular on the role of women and children during the war. We've interwoven research, verbatim accounts of life during the time to create a tale, that gives a sense of life at that time."
Uniquely, the production is accompanied by a replica shelter, which 'lands' in the performance space. Schools can introduce their students to it in the manner of a traditional performance, or they can be given time beforehand to explore the object. Following the performance, there are opportunities for a range of workshops - exploring the themes of WW2 and/or using drama to explore history. Workshops can take place around the shelter, or in classrooms. They are accompanied by a resource pack and a copy of the script to use back in the classroom.
The production and workshops are available for keystage two and three. For full details, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 02084081124.
Bounce Theatre did morning workshops with Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in Spring Term in conjunction with our Creativity week. They successfully incorporated our themes of animals, colours, rain forests and space. The children were inspired and the morning was thoroughly successful.