FOR PUPILS WITH COMPLEX ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS
(ages 5-18)
25 September - 6 October 2023
MESS
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MESS is a bold, playful and emotionally engaging theatre performance made especially for young audiences (age 5-18) with complex additional support needs and school staff.
The performance tells the story of how an ordinary day in the life of a team of caretakers turns unpredictable when, for the first time ever, they attempt to clean a space which has people in it. MESS features comedy, surprise, celebration and mild peril! MESS is a highly sensory, stimulating experience with audience interaction throughout. There are frequent moments of stillness and silence to allow the audience time to process, engage and respond in their own ways. The performance celebrates and includes any and all responses. What schools are saying about MESS: “I cannot overstate how highly my pupils and staff team would recommend Tenterhooks (MESS) for a fully inclusive drama visit. I’ve never seen such a phenomenal performance. Blown away today.” Langlands Primary, Glasgow “This is the first theatre performance that has really and truly met the needs of our pupils with more complex needs. Please come back and visit us again soon.” Carrongrange High School, Grangemouth www.messtheshow.org Cost: £550 + VAT per day Space required: School hall or empty classroom 3 performances included per day Each performance is for up to 8 young people (plus teachers and carers) Running time:35 mins Theatre in Schools Scotland offers a Small School Subsidy on request, to support remote schools or those with a small school roll. ABOUT THE ARTISTSTenterhooks is led by Diane Thornton, Suzie Ferguson, and Fergus Dunnet. Two theatre clowns and one visual artist putting audiences at the heart of their bold and playful performances.
Tenterhooks’ work is made for unconventional spaces and diverse audiences. Productions include the immersive field-trip Call of Nature (community wild spaces and venues including Lyth Arts Centre, Edinburgh International Science Festival); street theatre Werewomen (Surge, PhysicalFest), The Weird Sisters (Galoshans, Manipulate Clown Cabaret) and Are Ye Dancin’ (Tron Theatre’s Suitcase Stories). MESS was co-devised by the cast and creative team from an original idea by Ben Winger. It has toured to SEN schools, families’ gardens, North Edinburgh Arts, Beacon Arts Centre, Macrobert, Platform, Eden Court, and Glasgow International Comedy Festival. INFORMATION FOR TEACHERSTo prepare for the performance visiting your school please take a look at the useful information for teachers on the MESS website:
www.messtheshow.org Story Synopsis Led by an enthusiastic chief caretaker, the team demonstrate their cleaning abilities to the audience with singing and dancing. But one of the caretakers is rebellious and causes a stir by finding a pink rubber glove amongst the yellow ones. This discovery sets off a celebration of mess which delights the rest of the crew but shocks the chief. The mess gets so big that it consumes the chief and transforms them into a multi-coloured messy creature. They are delighted! A carnival begins. Everyone celebrates the fun that unexpected, messy situations can bring. Show Content
MORE INFORMATIONcurriculum for excellence
Expressive Arts Drama I can respond to the experience of drama by discussing my thoughts and feelings. I can give and accept constructive comment on my own and others’ work. EXA 0-15a / EXA 1-15a / EXA 2-15a / EXA 3-15a I can analyse technical aspects of drama and scripts, make informed judgments and express considered opinions on my own and others’ work. EXA 4-15a Health and Well Being I am aware of how friendships are formed and that likes, dislikes, special qualities and needs can influence relationships. HWB 0-44a / HWB 1-44a |
Presented by Tenterhooks
Produced by Scottish Theatre Producers Devisers/Performers: Ben Winger, Diane Thornton, Suzie Ferguson, Kerry Cleland, Ronan McMahon, Carmen Pieraccini, Lucy McGreal Designer/Maker Fergus Dunnet Composer John Kielty Outside Eye Anna Newell Creative Consultants Pupils and staff of Oaklands School, Edinburgh Photography by Eoin Carey |
