Pupils play part in theatre of war
Research turns into stage production
Eighty West Stirlingshire school children have been learning about World War One in a project they will take to the stage next week.
Primary seven pupils from Balfron, Killearn and Strathblane schools have been using sources such the Observer to find out what life was like in the Stirling area as the conflict neared its end.
Audiences will be able to see the results of their efforts when they stage Stirling’s Great War: Three Villages, a 70-minute performance of songs from the era and facts about the war.
A giant screen will also feature Stirling area images from the time during performances in Balfron High Theatre on Wednesday, November 7, at 2pm and 7pm.
Youngsters from the three schools have been working with David and Jackie Smith of Tapsalteerie Theatre Scotland.
The couple have worked with 15 communities in Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire to help them research the stories of their area and put them together in play format.
David, 67, a former Fintry Primary School head teacher and now learning officer at Stirling Smith, explained that four years ago they assisted pupils at St Ninians, Allan’s and Borestone primaries, all Stirling, and Gargunnock Primary in staging a performance about the start of WW1 and its impact on the area. It was staged at the Albert Halls.
Now they are using a similar format, drawing on old school log books and minutes of village committees, as well as the Observer, to aid the West Stirlingshire children as they study the war’s impact on their area .
Pupils discovered that people continued to be preoccupied by mundane matters despite the devastating personal losses inflicted by the war.
David said: “The show will explore gems of information such as how 100 years ago people were writing to the Observer about the ‘illogical’ idea of putting the clocks back an hour in summer to create more working time.
“Local people also expressed their astonishment at the temporary plan for an extra week’s holiday in October for school children to pick potatoes, as there were few men left to work on the farms.
“This working holiday was to be for one year only. No one expected it to still be in existence 100 years later.”
David and Jackie, who also taught at Fintry Primary, have been planning the show for a year and carried out the research in the summer.
Children received their scripts five weeks ago and rehearsals have been taking place in the one and half-week run up to the show.
“Some of the stories we tell are harrowing such as that of 19-year-old William Edmonstone of Duntreath Castle who as an officer was younger than most of the troops he led,” said David. “Yet he showed incredible bravery before losing his life in France.
“Other stories are quite funny. One tells how a Balfron man was fined for accidentally knocking over an AA patrolman who got very confused directing traffic.”
He added: “The scripts have been very well received by the children.
“They have been getting an impression of how people of the time spoke and the language they used. They have also developed an idea about the horror of the war and how people felt about it. Some have come back and said they have a great-grandfather connected with the war.
“It has also given them an understanding of the importance of the war memorials in their villages and why we remember the names on them.”
He said the project had also helped children in other ways.
“One teacher said she had watched two pupils, who would have been shy and wary about performing in public, develop a greater confidence and have been standing up and doing things in the production,” added David.
“There was another pupil who had behavioural problem who had become really focused on the play.”
Stirling’s Great War: Three Villages is in partnership with the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum and funded by Heritage Lottery Scotland.
Proceeds go to Help for Heroes. Tickets, priced £3 for adults and £2 for under 17s, available from Strathblane Library, Balfron Library, Killearn Pharmacy, Fintry Sports Club, Balfron Primary, Killearn Primary and Strathblane Primary.
Some of the stories we tell are harrowing