* Theatre in education is not dead. It’s being celebrated at the Kenneth More Theatre, where Redbridge Education Service presents A Theatre in Education Week from October 7 to 12.
But wait a minute. What do they mean by theatre in education? The week consists of performances of Bedfordshire Youth Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet and Snoo Wilson’s adaptation of Mayakovsky’s The Bedbug as well as An Evening of Poetry with Vital Stages Theatre Company and Redbridge school children. Oh yes, and Phantom of the Opera by Show of Hands, a deafhearing theatre ensemble which, unless a bit of forum theatre is interjected at opportune moments, should be a straightforward piece of theatre for deaf and hearing people. There’s also Circus by Cornelius and Jones, a piece about circus and the imagination. The only two TIE productions - involving participation - are by the highly regarded Arc Theatre Ensemble, which used to be the resident TIE company for Redbridge. Maybe they should change the name of the week. The various theatrical offerings can be booked on 0181 553 4466.
* Up north, however, they know how to call a spade a spade. Or rather entrepreneurialism entrepreneurialism. Helped by a grant from Barnsley Education Authority, Hoyland Springwood Primary School has published a play, Martha and the Milton Monster, written by a group of top juniors, is a new mummers play based on characters from the folklore of a South Yorkshire mining town. It was performed last Easter to great local acclaim, which led the school to publish it, by way of SpringPrint, its own mini publishing company, so that other schools can use it. It’s available from Hoyland Springwood Primary School, Cloughfields Road, Hoyland, Barnsley S74 0ER. Details on 01226 743815.
* Northern Broadsides’ Romeo and Juliet (see main feature) visits Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre from October 14 to 23.The education department will be running workshops led by Barrie Rutter, Northern Broadsides’ artistic director, which will focus on textual and musical interpretations of the play. Participants should be familiar with the text and are invited to bring along musical instruments. The education department is also running a festival of new playwriting for young people. Write Now! is open to 14- to 20-year-olds. Shortlisted plays will be performed, using a professional director and actors, in November. Closing date for entries is October 11. More information from the Everyman education department on 0151 708 0338.
* At the National Theatre’s education department, there’s a strong line-up of all-day inset courses for this term, starting with Death of a Salesman on October 25. On October 27, the sixth annual Glass Ceiling conference takes place, presented by Sphinx Theatre Company in association with NT Education. Featured during the day are Germaine Greer discussing her work with Juliet Mitchell, a rehearsed reading of Sarah Kane’s controversial Blasted and a discussion with Annie Castledine, Pam Gems, Bonnie Greer, Sarah Kane and Mel Kenyon, led by Jude Kelly. Full details and bookings from the education department on 0171 928 2033.
* The Contact Theatre, Manchester, tours The Tempest to Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (October 1 to 5) and the Nia Centre, Manchester (October 8 to 12) while its multi-million pound building project is underway. For full details of the tour and bookings, ring the box office on 0161 274 4400.
