From play time to play writes for local schools at the Den Festival

School children get brilliant hands-on theatre experience with the Royal Exchange at the Den Festival in Stalybridge.

Over the past two months, local schools have been working alongside ambassadors to write their very own scripts with writers Lekhani Chirwa and Lauren-Nicole Mayes which were then performed by the Royal Exchange’s Theatre Actors last weekend.

Bradley Green Primary Academy, Micklehurst All Saints Primary School, St. Paul’s CE Primary School and St. Peter’s Catholic Primary, have each compiled a script with expert guidance from the team as part of the ‘Best Mates, Top Bins & Venga Venga’ workshop. The plays were professionally produced and directed by Tori Burgess.

Prior to the show, the schools visited the Den last week to see their work come to life as they watched the full-dress rehearsal and met the actors performing the shows at Staybridge Civic Hall. They got a sneak peek at both their own script being performed as well as other local schools, with added sounds and lighting features.

The performance then took place as part of Saturday’s programme at the Den Festival, when spectators came along to watch and enjoy their plays live.

Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, Cllr Leanne Feeley said: "What an amazing project for our schools to be a part of. The children have had an incredible time working with the Royal Exchange teams and having an opportunity to make fantastic memories that will last a lifetime and potentially inspire their future career aspirations. It also hopefully opened their eyes to try something new that they may never have come across before.

“It was brilliant to see the entertaining final shows, which amplified the children’s voices through the performance. I am so glad each school made the most of this experience and the classes were entirely engaged throughout the planning process.”

Scarlett from the Royal Exchange Theatre said: “Working with the primary schools across the last 6 months has been a joy, we've absolutely loved their enthusiasm, ideas, collaboration and compassion.  I know that the staff and creatives who have worked on this project have got so much from working with the kids - it's given us new ways of working, challenged us, made us feel a range of emotions and we've had so many belly laughs!

“Access to these types of opportunities is essential for young people, to develop their sense of self and understanding of the world, we hope this is the beginning of their creative journeys and this sparks an interest that lasts a lifetime.”