Theatre in Education
'The Journey' is aimed at P6 pupils and is forum theatre – there is audience participation throughout the play, where the pupils are invited to make certain decisions and also carry out role-play. Key road safety messages in this play are walking and cycling safely to school, transition from primary to secondary school and peer pressure when crossing the road.
The play looks at the developing relationships between a group of friends as they pass from primary 6 and 7, into secondary school and the state of adolescence. Jack, Kirsty, Ronny and Paula discover on their way to school, a place of which no one else is aware, ... a disused railway arch beside a busy road. They can pull back the corrugated iron fence and enter into a secret and secluded world that belongs to them only. In this place they confide in each other, have a good laugh and try to understand and come to terms with the changes that affect them.
As they grow older they experience more freedom and begin to stay out later in the evenings, going further afield. The lack of parental control is not always accompanied by the sense of responsibility it requires, and when a new kid, Mike, stumbles into the gang's secret place the balance and behaviour of the group is thrown into disarray. Loyalties are challenged, boasts are made and a feeling of bravado permeates the group.
Target Audience
P6
Running Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Resources
A support pack for this play has been developed, which links to Expressive Arts – Drama 5-14 National Guidelines. This pack will be piloted in the spring 2003, when the play is performed in primary schools.
It is recommended that the P6 class which watches the play disseminates the key road safety messages to the rest of the school.
Downloads
You will need Adobe Acrobat in order to view these PDF files.
The Journey - Introduction
The Journey - Forum
The Journey - Teacher's Notes
The Journey - Group Scenes
The Journey - Scene Suggestions
The Journey - An Assembly
The Journey - Appendix
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