stagedirections 48

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STAGE DIRECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE TEACHERS’ PREVIEW CLUB Issue 48 Nov/Dec/Jan 2011-12 www.mousetrap.org.uk

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Page 1: StageDirections 48

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DearteachersWe hope that you continue to use your membership to preview productions before taking your students. The teachers’ Preview Club is part of a wider scheme of work by Mousetrap Theatre Projects, an independent charity whose aim is to open doors to theatre for young people who would never usually have this experience.

Group Line is the teachers’ Preview Club’s ticketing partner for West End shows, and the UK’s only multi-award winning ticket agency and the number one choice for school group bookers. You can enjoy savings of up to 70% on top price tickets for all major West End productions when booking seats for your school group through Group Line.

Attached below is a GroupLine card for you to keep to hand when you feel inspired to take your students to see some top London theatre.

With best wishes,Elly Hopkins

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• Wehopethatyoufindyourmembershipa useful resource. The ‘Preview’ in the Teachers’ Preview Club is designed to help you see theatre productions with a view to taking your class.

• Youareentitledtobooktwoticketstopreview productions.

• Whenbookingyourtickets,youwillbe asked for your TPC membership number on your membership card. You may be asked to present your TPC card when collecting your ticketsatBoxOffices.

• Youcanpreviewasmanyorasfewproductions as you wish.

• Allticketsaresubjecttoavailability.

• TicketsCANNOTbetransferredorbought on behalf of others.

• Bookingnumbersand/oronlinebooking details are listed under each production entry.

• Ifthereareanychangesinproductiondates or booking details after this magazine’s publication, you will receive an email with the updated information.

• Tologontothewebsiteyouwillneedyourusername–firstname.surname and a password. Unless you otherwise specify your password will be automatically be set to ‘mousetrap’.

• Ifwehaveyouremail,youwillalsoreceive additional theatre offers during the quarter.

• Yourmembershipwillexpireexactlyone year after you join, when we will write to you to remind you to renew.

* for lost membership cards, to register your email, reset your password, or renew your membership, call the tPC on 020 7240 1248 or email [email protected]

Page 3: StageDirections 48

bLooD brotherS@ PhoeNIX theatrethe captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences. The incredible scoreincludes ‘BrightNewDay’, ‘MarilynMonroe’andtheemotionallychargedhit‘TellMeIt’sNotTrue’.PresentedbyBill Kenwright.tICKetS £15 / mon–thurs 7.45pm & weds 3pm / Until end Jan / to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk4

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DreamboatS aND PettICoatS@ PLaYhoUSe theatreInspired by the smash hit albums, Dreamboats and Petticoats the musical features all the greatest hits of the rock ‘n’ roll era!tICKetS £15 / all ages / mon–thurs 7.30pm / Until end Jan / to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

CooL haND LUKe@ aLDwYCh theatreBeneath a scorching Florida sun, Boss Godfrey watches the chain gang. Keeps his eye on Cool Hand Luke. War hero, trouble-maker, inspiration to his fellow inmates. And just themanBosswants to crush... In a powerful newadaptation for the stage starring Mark Warren (Hustle, Mad Dogs)basedonDonnPearce’sacclaimednovel,Cool Hand Luke is the raw, uncompromising tale of sticking it to “The Man”.tICKetS £15 / Until 17 Nov / mon-thurs 7.30pm / ages 16+ / to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

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3 DaYS IN maY @ trafaLgar StUDIoSBill Kenwright presents Warren Clarke playing Winston Churchill in the World Premiere of Ben Brown’s thrilling political drama.May 1940… Downing Street…Three days that will change the course of history… Forever.TakingusbehindthedoorsofNumberTenduringthreeofthemost pivotal days in British History, when, extraordinarily, giving in to Hitler was considered by some to be a ‘viable option’.tICKetS £15 / mon – thurs / Until end of Jan / ages 12 + / to book call 020 7907 7069 or login atwww.mousetrap.org.uk

ghoSt the mUSICaL @ PICCaDILLY theatre“A new West End hit has landed” Time OutRecognising the importance of introducing young people to the world of high quality theatre, GHOST offers a thrilling insight into classic drama themes: loss, betrayal, love, ambition, the supernatural and death.Teachers are invited to preview GHOST with a view to using this thrilling production to engage and stimulate students in their core curriculum studies, and develop vital skills. Suitable for Key Stage 3, GSCE, A Level students of English Language, English Literature, as well as extension ideas in RE, PSHE, media and Theatre Studies. tICKetS £20 / mon – wed at 7.30pm / 2 Jan – 1 feb 2012 (subject to avail) / to book call 020 7478 8806 (10.30am-5.30pm)

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the 39 StePS@ CrIterIoN theatrea huge hit both in the west end and on broadway, alfred hitchcock’s classic spy thriller The 39 Steps is hilariously recreated on stage as the olivier and tony award winning ‘best Comedy’. The wonderfully inventive show features four fearless actors playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun. Workshops available and 46-page education pack downloadable at www.love39steps.comtICKetS £15 / ages 7+ / mon–fri at 8pm and wed at 3pm / Until end Jan/ to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

the womaN IN bLaCK@ fortUNe theatreThe most terrifying live theatre experience in the world. Celebrating over 23 years in the West End with over 7 million people having lived to tell the tale The Woman in Black is of one of the most exciting, gripping and successful theatre events ever stage.tICKetS £16 / ages 12+ / monday – Saturday perfs / Until end Jan / education pack available from www.thewomaninblack.com / to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

wICKeD@ aPoLLo VICtorIawas the wicked witch of the west really wicked or the victim of a corrupt regime? You might think you know the whole story about the Land of Oz, but this award-winning stage production skillfully and accessibly encourages pupils to look at things very differently.tICKetS £15 / ages 7+ / mon – thurs at 7.30pm and weds at 2.30pm / Until end Jan / to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

the wIZarD of oZ @ LoNDoN PaLLaDIUmFollow the yellow brick road over the rainbow and into The London Palladium for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit production of The Wizard of Oz. Starring Michael CrawfordasTheWizardandDanielleHope(winnerofthe BBC’s smash hit over the rainbow)asDorothy.tICKetS £15 / ages 7+ / tues at 7pm, wed and thur at 7.30pm, and wed at 2.30pm / Until end Jan / to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

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StomP @ ambaSSaDorS theatreThis multi-award winning show has a universal language of rhythm, theatre, comedy and dance. Eight performers use everything from Zippo lighters, plastic bags, bin lids and even the kitchen sink to hammer out an explosively feel good rhythm.tICKetS £15 (+ £2.50 booking fee) / mon at 8pm, thurs at 3pm / end Jan / to book call 0844 8112 334 and quote ‘teachers Preview Club’ Two tickets per cardholder. All tickets to be collected at the Box Office and strictly only released upon production of a valid TPC membership card.

mILLIoN DoLLar QUartet@ NoeL CowarD theatreMillion Dollar Quartet provides a unique insight for students to discover how rock ‘n’ roll inspired and defined a generation through its telling of the electrifying story of the night Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis came together to make music, and ended up making history…tICKetS £15 / ages 7+ / mon – weds at 8pm / Until 11 Jan / to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

ShreK @ theatre roYaL DrUrY LaNeFeaturing all new songs as well as cult Shrek anthem ‘I’maBeliever’,Shrek The Musical brings the well loved characters to life, in a hilarious and spectacular new production based on the story and characters from the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks Animation film. The worldof fairytales is turned upside down in an all singing, all dancing, irresistible mix of adventure, laughter and romance. tICKetS £20 (upper circle / 1 – 18 Nov mon-thurs perfs / to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

LegaLLY bLoNDe @ the SaVoY theatreThis all singing, all dancing, feel good musical comedy will be the highlight of your year. Legally Blonde the Musical will take you from the social whirl of California Campus life to Harvard’s Halls of Justice with the West End’s brightestnew heroine (and of course, her Chihuahua, Bruiser). The verdict? This much fun shouldn’t be legal!tICKetS £15 / mon-thurs @ 7.30pm / 11 Nov – end Jan (exc 19 - 29 Dec) / ages 7+/ to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

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When Mr. Small, my inspirational English andDrama teacher, tookus toconcerts,plays, ballet and musicals, I was neveraware that we had to have a specificlearning outcome as we are told today. Maybe he was more subtle at teaching thanIgavehimcreditfor!

Ifwe, andby that Imean the collectiveintellectual reading this article, know that the arts are inherently a ‘Good Thing’ for most people, then the best thing to happen would be exposure on a grand scale to all sorts of arts.

Iwouldthinkthatmostofyouhavekeystoopendoorsand that isasmuchas Icanthinkyoucanexpect.Noneofuscando it all.

As the Education Officer for DelfontMackintosh Theatres this is what I amtrying to do on a limited basis, of course always baring in mind that as part of the commercial sector I have investors,theatre angels and my BOSS to respond to soIcan’tgetagranttogoanddothis,butthat has not stopped us from saying there are things we can do.

It isessential torememberthat teachersare not tour operators and the booking process should be as easy as possible. As such, communication, reasonable holding dates, extra resources like our workshops, backstage tours post show Q&As are crucial in making a trip to one of our productions or theatres as straightforward as possible.

Thesedays schools are, I find,having tolook for more out of their visit than just a trip to see a production. They are required in many cases to provide that ‘Learning Outcome’.

Over the years I have been fortunateenough to work on many of Cameron Mackintosh’s productions and had the chance to offer some exciting events to enable schools to tick the Learning

Outcome Box, thus enabling the powers that be to authorise the trip.

Currently we offer a drama workshop, a choral workshop and a backstage tour for Les Misérables, a workshop and post show Q&A for The Phantom of The Opera, drama workshops for Mamma Mia! and Million Dollar Quartet, all of which are supported with downloadable on line resource packs.

We have in the recent past offered a Drama workshop for our productionsof Oliver, and puppet workshops for Avenue Q and Betty Blue Eyes. We also ran drama workshops for the visiting productions of ENRON, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and An Inspector Calls.

In 2007 we embarked on a workexperience programme offering students the opportunity to spend a week at one of three theatres in the group. The Queens Theatre Les Misérables, Prince of Wales Theatre, Mamma Mia! and the Prince Edward Theatre Jersey Boys.

To date 188 successful applicants have spentfivedaysinfivedepartments,BoxOffice,Elecs,FOH,TheatreManagementand Stage Management, giving the studentstheopportunitytoseefirsthandthe day-to-day life of a busy West End Theatre. Hopefully expanding their views of the opportunities within our industry.

Cameron Mackintosh continues his investment today with major ongoing refurbishment programmes of the seven theatres within the group, making them as accessible as possible to all our patrons be they groups, individuals, young, older or patrons with specificaccess needs.

IS the Name of the game, aND we mUSt haVe a LearNINg oUtCome… whY ?

John Scarborough

eDUCatIoN, eDUCatIoN, eDUCatIoNby John Scarborough, education officer at Delfont mackintosh

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fINboroUgh theatreBoxOffice08448471652Bookonlineatwww.finboroughtheatre.co.uk

WestBrompton/EarlsCourt

LucyJacksonforNusuNusuProductionsinassociationwith Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatrepresents the world premiere of

faNta oraNgeBy Sally woodcockInspiredbyarealAmnestyInternationalreport,Fanta Orange is a playful and unexpected tale that gets under the skin of modern Africa. Regina is a Kenyan house servant, Roger the white farmer boss. Enter Ronnie, a privileged English girl who is studying the practice of dirt-eating among local tribes. Soon a saga unfolds, challenging every racial and sexual preconception.

Workshops available with Director Gareth Machin (former National Theatre Studio Associate, newly Artistic Director at Salisbury Playhouse) & playwright Sal Woodcock, subject to discussion and arrangement. Contact Lucy Jackson at [email protected] or on 07940 538 198.tICKetS £5 / 1 – 13 Nov 7.30pm / only available online: visit www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk and enter promotional code teaCherS at checkout.

the SNowmaN– LIVe oN StageWith its wonderful mix of storytelling, spectacle, dance and music performed by a live orchestra, the show based on Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman is perfect to introduce kids to the magic of theatre.tICKetS £15 (best available seats) / wed 30 Nov, wed 1 Dec, thu 2 Dec, 7pm / Suitable for all ages

PeaCoCK theatreCall 0844 412 4322 and quote “Teacher’s Preview Club offer”

Holborn/Temple

fogby Tash Fairbanks and Toby Wharton, directed by Che Walker …… two families, one white and dysfunctional, the other black and aspiring.Fog is a teenage boy who, along with his sister, is put into care by their soldier father, following the death of the mother.When their father, Cannon, returns ten years later to reassemble his family around him, he is not able to comprehend this ‘new’ England he finds, noris he prepared for the damage that abandonment and an inadequate care system has wreaked on his children........

Outreach workshops for both mainstream and ‘special’ schools and colleges.tICKetS 3 & 4 Jan £9 | £5 tickets for U30’s 3 - 8 Jan (online only) / tues - Sats @ 7.30pm & Sun mats @3pm

a mIDSUmmer NIght’S Dream Following the success of Three Sisters and Twelfth Night, Filter returns to collaborate with Lyric Artistic DirectorSeanHolmestoremixandreworkShakespeare’sclassic play from 09 Feb to 17 Mar. With school tickets just£12.50,thisisauniqueopportunityforeducationaudiences to see the play in a whole new light.

A range of schools’ workshops are available, call 0871 22 117 22 for more details.tICKetS £5 / 10 - 11 feb / teachers go free with School group bookings / ages 14+

LYrIC hammerSmIthto book call 0871 221 1729 or www.lyric.co.uk and quote ‘mousetrap’

hammersmith

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CaLeNDar gIrLS Following an award-winning West End run and a sell-out week in Richmond, Calendar Girls is coming back one last time as part of its last ever tour. Based on an inspiring true story, Calendar Girls is quirky, poignant and hilarious.tICKetS £15 / mon 28 Nov – Sat 3 Dec

rIChmoND theatre to book please call the box office on 0844 871 7651 and quote ‘StageDirections offer’. groups of 10+ should call the groups hotline on 0844 871 7696 to receive group discounts.

richmond

CINDereLLa You and your family are invited to the royal event of the year! Jenny Eclair is making her Richmond Theatre pantomime debut in Cinderella – the ultimate rags-to-riches fairy tale. She will be joined by the legendary star of stage and screen Gary Wilmot as Buttons, and Kellie Shirley as Cinderella.tICKetS £15 / wed 4 Jan, thu 5 Jan, mon 9 Jan, thu 12 Jan, fri 13 Jan

E.B. White’s

CharLotte’S webCome and meet the award-winning pig!Wilbur’s no ordinary farmhouse pig and he’d do anything to avoid ending up on the dinner table.But help arrives from the most unlikely of places....a spider’s web, in the corner of the barn. As Wilbur grows bigger and plumper, his friendship with the tiny spider Charlotte grows too. But how far will she go to save her best friend?Casting a web of enchantment over children and adults this winter, E.B. White’s classic is brought to life in the best tradition of Polka’s shows, with magic, excitement, songs and unforgettable characters. Will Charlotte and Fern, the famer’s daughter, be able to savethe“terrific”and“radiant”Wilbur?HeadtoPolkatofindout!tICKetS free teacher preview tickets / 15 – 18 November / Schools £10 (with a free teacher with every 10 tickets booked). Key Stages 1 & 2 (ages 5 – 11 years)

the SNow QUeeNby hans Christian andersenOnce upon a time there were two friends, Cei and Gerda. They did everything together and were inseparable. But one cold night Cei falls under the spell of the evil Snow Queen and is whisked away on her sleigh to the icy palace far away. Can Gerda save Cei from the Snow Queen? This beautiful Christmas show, adapted from the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale charts the psychological, moral and physical journey of Gerda through four seasons from youth to adulthood, in this coming-of-age story.

EducationPackwillbeavailable/bespokeworkshopscan be organisedtICKetS £3 off top price tickets / fri 2 Dec - thurs 7 Dec / all ages

roSe theatre KINgStoNBookbycallingtheBoxOfficeon08444821556andquote‘Teachers’Preview’

Kingston

JerwoodTheatreDownstairs

haUNteD ChILDBy Joe Penhall A small boy is driving his mother to distraction – waking atnight,hearingphantomnoisesandfixatingonhisabsentfather.Whenheglimpsesafigureprowlingthehouse at night, a shadow is cast which gradually strips away his childhood certainties.This chilling and unsettling play asks demanding questions about the things we believe and their consequences.DirectedbyJeremyHerrin.CastincludesSophieOkonedoandBenDaniels.tICKetS £15 / fri 2 Dec – wed 7 Dec / ages 14 +

roYaL CoUrt theatreto book please call the box office on 020 7565 5000 and quote ‘teachers’

Sloane Square

roUNDhoUSe / StUDIo theatreTo book your tickets please call 020 7424 6776 or email [email protected]

ChalkFarm/CamdenTown

twINKLe twoNKLeInspired by nursery rhymes and the Big Bang, anddevised in association with The Royal Society, this show full of stories, music and the mystery of space will lift you up, up and away. Stella loves the stars. Every evening she gazes at them through her telescope. But one night her little brother Ryan wishes on a star, extends the telescope all the way and starts climbing up it. Stella follows him. But something is wrong in the night sky. There’s Pegasus the flying horse - but theres also a cow jumping over the moon. And the Great Bear and the Little Bear have been joined by a medium-sized bear. tICKetS £5 / tue 29 Nov – thur 15 Dec / 10am & 2.30pm / ages 4+

PoLKa theatre wImbLeDoNto book call 020 8543 4888 and quote ‘teachers’ Preview’

wimbledon

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Oily Cart presents

rINg a DINg DINgFollowing their hugely popular performances of How Long is a Piece of String and Mole in the Hole, Oily Cart - Britain’s best-loved creators of theatre for young people - return with an immersive, interactive and multi-sensory show for children aged 3-6.tICKetS £8 / 3 – 30 December / ages 3+

23November-8JanuaryUnicorn Theatre presents

the SNow QUeeNThis magical re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale will transport your pupils across the colourful landsof India, fromthe ruggedhillsof theChambals and busy Bombay streets to the glitzy world of Bollywood and the snow covered Himalayas in an adventure that they’ll never forget. tICKetS £10 / 23 November - 8 January / ages 7+

the beeHideki Noda is famous for bringing innovativeinterpretations and subversions of traditional Japanese theatre to an international audience. With a striking visual style and complex and witty use of wordplay, The Bee creates a separate theatrical world in which victims can become aggressors, and examines the psychological motivations and consequences behind bitter revenge. Internationally acclaimed, this is itssecond run at Soho Theatre.HHHHH ‘a highly unusual theatrical gem: part slapstick comedy, part satire, part macabre dance’ Time OutmatINee tICKetS £10 / thu 26 Jan, Sat 28 Jan, thu 2 feb, Sat 4 feb, thu 9 feb and Sat 11 feb at 3pm’

aUDIeNCeTue 6 December – Sat 7 January, 7.30pm. Ticketsfrom just £10.Ontroerend Goed is a theatre performance group that have a reputation for creating powerful participatory theatre with young people. Following their critically acclaimed Once And For All We’re Gonna Tell You Who We Are So Shut Up And Listen, they are back with Audience, which became the most talked about show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. An exciting example of the possibilities and technical innovations of immersive, experimental theatre.HHHHH ‘asks some very serious questions about contemporary society and the ways in which the public are being turned into performers and sources of entertainment.’ British Theatre GuidetICKetS £10 / 6-10 December @7.30pm

UNICorN theatreto book call: 020 7645 0560 and quote ‘teacher Preview’

London bridge

20 Stories High in association with Liverpool Everyman Playhouse, present

bLaCKberrY troUt faCe Leading Liverpool based theatre company present a bold, gritty and funny play that explores family, loyalty and ambition.

This show is the ideal resource for young people, encouraging them to explore themes and issues relevant to them and their communities. Supporting the Citizen Curriculum at KS3 and 4, the project focuses on exploring drug use, bullying, gangs and crime, parenting and families and young carers.tICKetS: £8 / 22 – 26 Nov / ages 13+

rambert DaNCe ComPaNYA double-bill of dance featuring a new work which follows an action packed day as seen through the eyes of a child, plus the classic RainForest by the late master Merce Cunningham.Featuring an introduction by Artistic Director MarkBaldwin and some of the dancers, this is the perfect way to get to know the UK’s national contemporary dance company.tICKetS £10 (best available seats) / Saturday 19 November, 2.30pm / Suitable for ages 10+

SaDLerS weLLS to book call 0844 412 4300 and quote ‘teachers Preview Club’

angel

a waLK oN PartSpanning eleven years of political history, this adaptation of MP Chris Mullin’s diaries documents the riseandfallofNewLabourfrom1999-2010,takingintheevents9/11,thewarinIraq,the7/7bombingsandthefinancialcrisis.Asatiricalslantandpersonalinsightshow the hidden cogs of the governmental machine in an exciting period of history, in an accessible and dryly humorous wayHHHH ‘fast paced and very funny theatrical entertainment’ GuardiantICKetS £10 / 15-17 November

Soho theatreTo book call 020 7478 0100 or visit www.sohotheatre.com

TottenhamCourtRoad/LeicesterSquare

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the wIZarD of oZ

Why not start with friendship? Dorothyand Toto have a loyalty which proves life-saving, and when they meet the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion, they accept them, despite their differences and difficulties.Together this groupof friendssupports one another to solve problems, deal with disappointment and make difficult decisions in the face of terribledanger. The Wicked Witch of the West is like many small time bullies, hurling threats and manipulating her gang of flying monkeys,whenallittakestofinishheroffis a little quick thinking and a good dose of positive self-esteem.

Intheeducationpack,whichwascreatedspecially for this new West End production, byAnnaDarvasandme,wedevelopedoverforty pages of classroom activities, which range from Foundation Stage to post-16 drama and vocational performing arts.

For the youngest children, preparation is key. The pack gives teachers a synopsis and a number of questions to raise with the children about what they may expect when they come to the theatre. Projecting some of the pages onto your interactive whiteboard will ensure your pupils are familiar with the characters and will give them important points of recognition. For older children and young people, background information on the production process will give them a deeper sense of enjoyment, making them feel part of the show with their privileged ‘insider’ knowledge.

Follow-up work ranges from science explorations on rainbows and tornadoes to

art anddesign,music, ITandgeographyactivities, including making your own magic lantern show. Worksheets, quizzes and well-researched factual background information should ensure the benefit ofthe theatre trip will outlast the visit itself by several weeks. All the material in the education pack is deliberately designed to offer non-specialists a way into aspects of the curriculum, with which they may be less familiar.

The famous songs from the film featurein the musical along with new work by Andrew Lloyd Webber - the pack includes six pages of ideas and instruction on study of the songs, from both a drama and music theory perspective. For English and literacy, there are creative writing activities to encourage students to experiment with rhyming, using the famous rhymes from the story as inspiration – there are even parallels drawn with rap music! A twenty-step guide to creating a critical review of the show will enable discussion and GCSE drama writing.

When Iwrote thepackwithAnna Iwasreally excited about schools being able to see The Wizard of Oz. The sheer spectacle of this production has stayed with me eversinceIsawit.Itreallyiswonderful!Ihope that thousands of young people will get a chance to see this, as it won’t fail to inspire them.”

The Education Resource Pack is free and downloadable from: www.wizardofozthemusical.com/about/education/

by helen Cadbury

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andrew Lloyd webber’s The Wizard of Oz is now showing at the London Palladium, starring Danielle hope, winner of bbC’s Over the Rainbow as Dorothy. It’s a show packed full of themes, ideas, visual stimulus and, of course music, which could easily inspire a whole term’s work right across the curriculum from primary to secondary.

fantastic 10+ School group rate

– Save up to £42.50 per ticket10+ best available seats £22.50,

Upper Circle seats £22.50Valid Tues-Fri perfomances. Exclusions apply.Bespoke Theatre Workshops

also available.

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the fIreworK-maKer’S DaUghterPhilip Pullman’s wonderful story brought to life on stageshowingLila’squesttobecomeafireworkmakerlikeherfather-lotsoffun&adventureforages5+

Sat 21 Jan at 2.30pm the bLoomSbUrY theatre LoNDoN wC1 box office 020 7388 8822

2 for 1 on tickets for tPC members

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horrIbLe hIStorIeS: terrIbLe tUDorS & VILe VICtorIaNS areontouragainin2012usingactors&amazing3Deffectstoshowaudiences(ages5+)whatitwasreallylike to live in these times - free teachers notes on www.birminghamstage.com/education

thursday 26 January 7pmVILe VICtorIaNS: the CaPItoL horSham box office 01403 750220

tuesday 31 Jan at 7pm terrIbLe tUDorS: aSSembLY haLL theatre tunbridge wells box office 01892 530613

2 for 1 on tickets for tPC members

where are YoU? Get in touch to let us know which regional theatres you would like to see in stagedirections

Whoopi Goldberg & Stage Entertainment present

SISter aCtWhen disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses amurder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be found - a convent! Disguisedasanunshemakesthewrongimpressionon the strict Mother Superior. But when she transforms the choir into the most glorious musical act in town, Deloris forms a lasting bond with her newfoundfriends…andthegang that’schasingherfinds itselfup against an unstoppable team of soulful sisters!

Based on the movie of the same name, this fabulous, family-friendly, feel-good show is packed with songs inspired by Motown, funk, soul & disco, which more than a million people saw in the West End! Take a look at the tour schedule at www.sisteractthemusical.com/tourtoseewhereSister Act is visiting near you. School price tickets are between £9 and £20 with some free teacher tickets also available in some venues.CalltheBoxOfficeofyournearestvenue for details.

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Special event

LeS mISerabLeS@ QUeeNS theatre + pre-show talk

Cameron Mackintosh’s legendary production of Boublil and Schonberg’s Les Miserables is indisputably the world’smostpopularmusical-seenbyover57millionpeople worldwide in 42 countries, 291 cities and sung in 21 different languages. The epic show includes the songs I Dreamed A Dream, Do You Hear the People Sing, Bring Him Home and many more. This spectacular adaptation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece continues to thrill audiences night after night.

thursday 19 January 2012 Join us for this wonderful production with a special TPC pre-show talk from 6pm at the Queens Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue.

tICKetS £22.50 email [email protected] to book.

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family first NightsMousetrap Theatre Projects ran its family first Nights programme for the 13th year this past summer. This 5-week programme enabled families identified by500 social service agencies, charities, communityorganisations and housing associations to attend theatreforthefirsttimewith£5tickets.427families,representing 1,808 family members of which 1,032 were young people between the ages of 3 – 16, had a choice of 18 top West End shows. This summer wealsooffered familyworkshops for thefirst time–2 each for Stomp and Wicked – which were hugely oversubscribed and a major success.

theatreopeners & the ICaP theatre Journeys for Special SchoolsAutumn terms finds MTP offering a wide rangeof theatre productions in its newly named school programme, theatreopeners (formerly The London Theatre Challenge). Students at state secondary schools have a choice of productions as diverse as Talawa’s The Colored Museum at the V&A, Arthur Miller’s searing drama, Broken Glass at the Vaudeville, The Ladykillers at the Gielgud and The Wizard of Oz at the Palladium. State secondary schools with a high percentage of students on free school meals are given priority and all visits include an after-show talk with cast or crew members as well as a teachers’ resource pack. This term, the ICaP theatre Journeys for Special Schools offers a choice of Mamma Mia! or the panto, Cinderella, at the Hackney Empire and as always includes a free in-school workshop for each participating school group and a specially prepared teachers’ pack.

Play the CriticOn the education front, we are offering our well-loved Play the Critic programme for theatre, dance and music this term. Each programme begins with students visiting a production followed by a masterclass where they hear from the director and two critics – learning how to analyse and write a critical review. Students then go on to write a review of a production they have seen independently and meet with one of the two critics to discuss their critical review in a one-to-one tutorial. Critics participating in Play the Critic are Georgina Brown (Sunday Telegraph), Lyn Gardner (The Guardian), Judith Mackrell (The Guardian), Benedict Nightingale (freelance), Libby Purves (The Times), Edward Seckerson (The Times), Lyndsey Winship (Time Out) and Matt Wolf (International Herald Tribune).

an Invitation for YouIf you teach at a secondary state school, please letus know if you are interested in participating in MTP programmes. We are now planning a range of education programmes for the next two terms that includes StageSeen for deaf and hard of hearing students and Companywise that will look at the various roles of individuals in a theatre company. We plan to collaborate with some of London’s leading theatre companies on this new venture.

As any charity, funding for our existing and new programmesisgettingmoreandmoredifficult.Ifyoucould assist in any way to support our work, we would be most grateful.

Susan whiddington, Director

Mousetrap Theatre Projects needs your support to give less fortunate young peoplean opportunity to experience the magic of theatre. We are hoping that TPC members will consider hosting collections for our charity over the Festive Season. Share the gift of theatre! For more information email [email protected],uk

Is your school planning a Christmas Show?

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memberShIP is still only £25 a yearteachers’ Preview club moUSetraP theatre ProJects 23–24 henrietta street, covent Garden, london wc2e 8ndt. 020 72401248 F. 020 7632 4111e. [email protected] www.mousetrap.org.uk

RegisteredCharityno:1053434

SUPerbreaK IS PLeaSeD to offer memberS of tPCa 10% discount on all uk and euroPean short breaksThisincludesgreatlowpricesatover5000hotels and discounts on a full range of London theatre and event breaks. Too see the huge range of options available to members, please visit www.superbreak.com

To book call 0871 221 1199 and quote ‘teachers’ Preview Club’ to claim savings

groUP LINe eDUCatIoN winner! best ticket aGent 2011best ticket aGent 14 times in the last 11 years 020 7580 6793 [email protected] www.groupline.com

GroupLineEducation-officialticketing partner for Teachers Preview Club, Mousetrap Theatre Projects.

Contact us today and receive our latest Teacher’s Guide. Group Line offers the very best school group rates for top West End musicals and plays, plus teachers can go for free on selected West End shows.

cover image: RAM

BERT @ Sadlers W

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