March 2009.Pmd
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Number 157 March 2009 The newsletter of London Drama Two Primary Reviews for your diary There are currently for further learning two prestigious reviews at the secondary LONDON DRAMA of the Primary stage’ rather than by Courses & Workshops Curriculum going on at their intrinsic value.” the moment: The Wed 4 Mar; 7-9pm Cambridge Primary The Cambridge Voices in the Park (Primary) Review initiated by the report identifies University of Cambridge areas of at Central School in 2006 and led by convergence with Professor Robin the interim Rose * * * Alexander; and the report (like the need Government’s to regroup the Wed 11 Mar; 6.30-8.30pm Independent Review of primary curriculum Drama with EAL Students the Primary Curriculum into areas of study at Central School led by Sir Jim Rose. rather than Each report is due to traditional subjects) * * * be published this year. but also important differences which reflect the reviews’ Sat 14 Mar; 10-1.15pm Is there a difference between the contrasting remits, scope, Half Day Workshop: two reports, and if so, what is it? evidence and degrees of Hoipolloi & WebPlay According to the authors of the independence. The Cambridge at Unicorn Theatre Cambridge Review, the answer is review is rather less sanguine one of remit and focus: about the problems of the existing * * * primary curriculum, and does not “..there is a sense in which the exempt current policies from Thurs 19 Mar; 6.30-8.30pm very focused remit of Rose, and comment. It asks whether the Drama & SEN students (KS1/2) the number of matters which are Rose review is more about at Bloomsbury Theatre apparently to be taken as given, curriculum rearrangement than may encourage the view that the reform, with educational aims * * * two enquiries are incompatible – added after the event rather than though we hope not. For while argued from first principles. It Wed 25 Mar; 6.30-8.30pm the Cambridge Primary Review asks expresses concern that QCA’s Voice Workshop what children should learn and of detailed work on the programmes at Central School what the curriculum should be of study for Rose’s six ‘areas of constituted, with the Rose Review learning’ has pre-empted a * * * the government itself answers consultation process which was that question – reading, writing, until recently (28 Feb) still open Fri 27 Mar; 9.30-3.30pm numeracy, science, ICT, a modern and to which people were still Full Day Workshop: foreign language and ‘personal contributing in good faith. RSC & Shakespeare development’ – and invites Nevertheless, the Cambridge at St Mary’s College respondents to consider only how report expresses the hope that these might more effectively be the two reviews can be seen as * * * planned and taught. The complementary. Secretary of State’s remit letter Sat 28 Mar; 10-3.30pm does mention other curriculum Both reports are available from Full Day Workshop: areas (‘the creative arts, the London Drama as PDF files. Oily Cart humanities, PE and sport’), but at Oval House these are justified ‘as preparation Chris Lawrence page 2 The Newsletter of London Drama London Drama Theatre Review and News strikes, but more than easily transferred to 1issues post 1980’s News 2 Britain. RAINBOW OF DESIRES WEEK The production itself could be 30 Mar-3 Apr - Jerwood Space SE1 described as being dynamic in its delivery, the cast were engaging Led by Augusto Boal, Julian Boal & through their energy, which Adrian Jackson and hosted by accompanied the interesting use Cardboad Citizens the next training of set, costume and intriguing use week in Theatre of the Oppressed of theatrical conventions. The takes place at the Jerwood Space lead characters, ‘Eddie’ and SE1 0LN from 30 March to 3 April. ‘Micky’, were thoughtfully and enthusiastically portrayed, ‘Through this intensive week, through the use of childhood Augusto will introduce the work he games, education and the has subtitled theatre and therapy by importance of family connections. means of anecdote, games and The development of two exercises. As the group develops the contrasting, yet similar characters trust and confidence to share provides food for thought for any stories, the work will progress from WILLY RUSSELL’S Blood person, including those who are simple image work to increasingly Brothers is one of the longest at a crucial stage in their life, complex means of uncovering and running and best-loved musicals in school children. The relationship confronting the cops in the head.’ the West End, the current run at between the3 twins was extended More details at: 4 the Phoenix Theatre having started to characters of a family and www.cardboardcitizens.org.uk two decades ago in 1988. friend nature, there was a running theme through the plot and A NIGHT LESS ORDINARY characters of contrast, in life, Blood Brothers has enticed and relationship and ultimately, fate. entertained for years, and as a A Night Less Ordinary, launched on 16 February, is Arts Council England’s result never fails to deliver. A This was viewed with an new initiative that will give away over Wednesday night performance ‘educational head’; there is an 258,000 free theatre tickets to could draw images of emptiness automatic tendency to dwell on Londoners under 26 years old. and lonely claps, yet this could themes and issues that have been have easily been a Saturday night related to, but what about those sell out. The audience combines that will need to be addressed? With more than 30 venues in London all ages and all are taken on a The idea of choice and possible offering tickets as part of the journey regardless of background pathways will be relevant to a scheme over the next two years, or culture, a relationship will be school audience, so how does this there will be a variety of top formed with the twin you never provide scope for potential self- performances across the capital to had. relation? inspire, excite and entertain and develop new young audiences. Set in Liverpool, the performance James Waight follows twins separated at birth A Night Less Ordinary is supported but whose paths cross in later by £2.5 million additional funding to life. the Arts Council’s core grant from the Department for Culture, Media Now commonly regarded as one of and Sport. the all time great British musicals, Blood Brothers deals with two of To search for participating venues the most pressing social issues in and book free tickets go to the modern times- inequality and dedicated web site at: unemployment. Shown here Willy Russell www.anightlessordinary.org.uk through the time of the miners Number 157 March 2009 page 3 Theatre Review - The Wizard of Oz about to meet “The Wonderful audience member it was very Wizard of Oz”. difficult not to compare her to the legendary Judy Garland, which of course is an insurmountable task. A revolving, circular conveyor belt was used around the central acting space to create movement and The highlight of the show for me transitions throughout scenes and was the cast’s amazing rendition of most commonly as the Yellow Brick Jolly Old Land of Oz, which involved Road. Although simplistic, this was a highly intricate and energetic an effective method of transition dance routine with most cast between scenes, which would not members joining in. It bore some have confused younger audience resemblance to the West End members. version of Mary Poppins’ Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious; The theatre version of this Hollywood however the rest of the songs classic opened at London’s Southbank performed did not quite reach this Centre on 23rd July 2008 for a limited high standard. 6 week run and received rather lukewarm reviews by various theatre critics. This new stage version of the The biggest issue for me and the classic tale, by Artistic Director Jude rest of the audience members was Kelly, retained all the original the length of the play which features of the film including its totalled just over 3 hours in length; magnificent music score and fantastic with the play aimed at audience characters however, one vital members aged 7 years and upwards ingredient that this play lacked was I noticed the auditorium getting the magic of the 1939, Victor Fleming slightly restless in the final few film. scenes. Just as the Wizard of Oz failed to live up to expectations and turned out to be nothing more The production used a large screen than a elderly man behind a to depict the more technically curtain, this version at the Southbank Centre failed to sparkle challenging aspects of the story; for Sian Brooke as Dorothy & Bobby as Toto example, it was used to represent as brightly as Dorothy’s ruby red the “twister” and the iconic view of The central characters of the play slippers. the Emerald City. Childlike drawings were performed extremely well by were used to show Moira Gulch, a fairly unknown cast. Oddly, the morphing into the Wicked Witch of star of the show was Bobby, the Holly Hawks the West during the “twister” and real life dog, playing Dorothy’s dog Dorothy’s house “falling” into Oz. Toto. The Director took a great risk Although the use of these drawings casting a real life dog however that was fun and inventive and indicated risk most certainly paid off as Bobby to the adult members of the received rapturous applause during audience that the play was not taking the curtain call. Gary Wilmot itself too seriously, I must admit it performs a loveable, Cowardly Lion was rather disappointing, especially and Adam Cooper’s Tin Man is full of as the cast turned to look at a rather energy and brought another unimpressive view of the Emerald City.