The Empire Eight (Your News)
By Rhian Bennett
Eight primary schools take over Liverpool Empire as part of the National Theatre’s Let’s Play programme.
Pupils from eight primary schools across Liverpool and Warrington staged school plays with a difference on the Liverpool Empire stage from Mon, 6th – Thu, 9th January.
These schools have taken part in the National Theatre’s Let’s Play project as part of their ongoing involvement with the Liverpool Empire’s Creative Learning programme. Directed by their teachers, pupils will perform four specially commissioned new plays on the Liverpool Empire’s main stage. Pupils have been involved in every aspect of planning and creating their end-of-term plays, including set design, costumes, lighting, sound, special effects, make-up and stage management.
The schools which took part are:
Monday, 6th January
Snow Queen performed by Ranworth Square Primary School
Hercules and Phoebe performed by English Martyrs Catholic Primary School
Tuesday, 7th January
Snow Queen performed by Park Road Community Primary School
Emil and The Detectives performed by St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School
Wednesday, 8th January
Snow Queen performed by Sacred Heart Catholic Primary, Warrington
Emil and The Detectives performed by St Oswald’s Catholic Primary, Warrington
Thursday, 9th January
Snow Queen performed by St William of York Catholic Primary school
Magical Land of Sleep performed by St Charles Catholic Primary School
Let’s Play is a nationwide programme from the National Theatre that provides everything that teachers need to make an outstanding piece of theatre whilst supporting them to embed the arts and creativity across the curriculum. Schools signed up to the programme can send up to four teachers on a theatre making course led by professional theatre artists and get access to specially commissioned scripts, musical scores and backing tracks for original songs as well as curriculum-linked teaching resources.
The Liverpool Empire offers a varied and exciting Creative Learning programme, delivering performing arts activities and industry workshops to schools, young people, families and the wider community. The Let’s Play Schools Festival project is part of a nationwide ATG Creative Generation campaign, which supports schools in championing the arts in the classroom and inspiring the theatre professionals of the future.
Mr Saunders, teacher at Ranworth Square Primary in Norris Green said: “I am so impressed and proud of what the children and staff have achieved through the medium of theatre. This was a once in a lifetime experience for the children, they grew as individuals and became stars in their own right. Many of our children struggle with confidence but after this opportunity you could visibly see the children change and become more confident, outgoing and animated. I can honestly say that this experience has changed our children for life and they will always remember this wonderful event for the rest of their lives. A big thank you to all the Empire staff involved and long may the opportunity continue because it is worth every minute of dedication to see the smiling and radiating faces after the children came off stage.”
For more and to register your school visit: nationaltheatre.org.uk/letsplay