‘IN THE DARK WOODS’

by Paul Swift and Spectacle Theatre Ltd

In the Dark Woods is the story of 2 sisters.  Ella, who’s 6, and Izzy who’s 13. The story begins one day after school when Ella is alone

in her bedroom…

“Do you want to play?… I’ll be Rapunzel, and she’s really small, and she’s lost her Mammy in the dark woods’’.

“Will you come with me into the dark woods

and help me find my Mammy?”

Can you help Ella and Izzy find their Mammy before it’s too late?

In the Dark Woods is an educational theatre programme, consisting of the play, post play discussions, workshops, and Teaching Support Materials, and is available for Years 3 and upwards. The participatory play uses fairy story characters and stories to enable children and young people to explore their feelings about loss and bereavement. Its flexible structure allows children and young people to respond at their own level.

Programmes are designed :

1. to enable classes to talk safely about sensitive issues relevant to their lives, increasing empathy and understanding of their own and others’ experiences.
2. to provide an objective viewpoint on difficult feelings they may be experiencing.
3. to engage all, to draw on and validate their experience and knowledge, raising confidence & self-esteem and having a positive impact on learning and behaviour.
4. To support work on ACES, mental health, dementia, healthy relationships, domestic violence, and divided families.

To book the In the Dark Woods Educational Theatre Programme, please contact  steve.davis@spectacletheatre.co.uk       TEL. 07900493691/ 07849513883

WHAT WE OFFER

Spectacle Theatre are offering a participatory play or to design a bespoke workshop with your group. Each provides a flexible structure allowing children, young people, and families to respond at their own level. Both methods are inclusive. Both can examine issues like identity, isolation & loneliness. Both support work on adverse childhood experiences, poor mental health, safe relationships, homophobia, hate crime & domestic abuse.

We know that building on strengths and learning from experiences can help individuals, families, and communities to become more resilient. Our activities, help people connect with others, and aid improvement in mental and physical well-being.

What we want to achieve

· Children having the best start in life and the opportunity to achieve their potential.

· Provide inclusive activities/interventions which engage children and young people from across different communities.

· Provide support for those impacted by childhood adversity or trauma and help build resilience or protective factors.

· Promote the best interests of the child/ren and improve well-being.

WHY DRAMA?

Drama is a very powerful medium.

We create a safe space where we intellectually and emotionally engage at-risk people and provide an interactive fictional landscape to enable them to safely explore, talk about, and provide an objective viewpoint on difficult issues they may be experiencing.

Spectacle Theatre has an established history in using theatre and drama to engage disadvantaged young people, adults, and families. Enabling them to explore difficult issues relevant to their lives, including sexual health and sexual abuse, domestic violence, bullying.

We aim our projects to target at-risk children and young people (7 – 25) in South Wales, where there is an identified need, through their schools and community organisations. We will also offer these programmes to their parents/carers and provide follow-up and support materials for teachers and support workers.

The project supports at-risk children. Enabling them to talk about sensitive issues, recognise warning signs and identify strategies to stay safe. It will raise awareness for parents/carers, teachers, support workers and organisations. It will enable teachers and workers to identify children at risk so they can receive appropriate support.

If you would like further information, please contact Spectacle Theatre Ltd at steve.davis@spectacletheatre.co.uk