New delivery for road safety messages to Canterbury students
Show etiquette is usually pretty clear – don’t take flash photography, don’t film and please, put your cellphone away.
But if staying off technology long enough to watch a show is a struggle, an interactive performance on road safety where audience members are encouraged to use their phones could be more up your alley.
Crash Bash: Reaction is a 25-minute show highlighting key safety messages to thousands of students at more than 20 high schools in Canterbury. The first show is today and is free for eligible schools and recommended for those in years 11 to 13.
Using mobile learning app Kahoot!, the teenage audience will be encouraged to interact with cast members live onstage by answering questions and sharing their opinions on topics discussed on their phone. Schools will also be able to compete in the quiz components during the performance, Court Theatre programmes manager Rachel Sears said.
‘‘It’s the opposite of what you usually expect but obviously mobile phones are actually a huge problem while driving, especially for young people, so it feels really relevant to have the audience using them through the show to interact.’’
Nearly 400 lives were lost on New Zealand roads in 2018, making it the country’s worst annual road toll in a decade. Of those, 14 per cent were children or teenagers and another 13 per cent were between 20 and 24.
Performers Monique Clementson and Fergus Inder, who were recently on The Court’s stage in Jesus Christ Superstar, are being directed by costar Ben Freeth. Senior Constable Brent Cosgrove will be present at every show to offer a ‘‘glimpse into what it’s like to be stopped and the genuine and real conversations that happen’’, Sears said.
‘‘Some of the students are learning to drive so it’s a good time to learn consequences of their actions.’’
The key focus is preventing distracted driving, including from phone use and passenger distraction and impaired driving from drugs, alcohol and fatigue.
Christchurch City Council transport operations manager Steffan Thomas said the show conveyed the importance of ‘‘making safe choices for yourselves and others as these students move through the graduated licence system’’.