Take a bow – plays by youngsters hit stage
Children aged from five to seven are first to take part in theatre’s new idea
were performed by professional actors from the theatre’s summer company for an invited audience of friends, family and schoolmates.
The 10 plays, which averaged about five minutes each, and had characters including a unicorn, a pen, a dinosaur and a toilet, were directed by the theatre’s associate artistic director Lotte Wakeham, developed by the associate director (education) Diana Logan and designed by Julia Wray.
Denise Crosier, head of Filey C of E Nursery and Infants Academy, said: “The Stephen Joseph Theatre has worked with the school to raise selfesteem and confidence in our pupils, including drama workshops, dance, music, visits to the theatre and opportunies to perform.
“Governors, staff and pupils feel privileged to have been selected as a school to pilot this unique and exciting venture. Parents appreciate the stimulation of pupils that such a project has generated.
“The impact on individual pupil aspiration, resilience, tolerance, creativity and imagination has promoted pupil conversation of future employment opportunities as playwrights, actors or theatre professionals.”
Lotte Wakeham said: “The Stephen Joseph Theatre is wellknown for its commitment to new writing.
“We wanted to give local children the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a playwright, and to see the characters they have imagined brought to life by professional actors, on stage at the Stephen Joseph.” + EMAIL US WITH YOUR STORIES AT