FOR P6 to S1 PUPILS
AUTUMN TERM 2018
TitusDo you want to know why I’m called Titus? It’s a funny story.
My dad thinks I’m always making stuff up. Just tell the truth, Titus. Just tell the truth. The truth is much easier to remember than a lie. But Dad the truth is so boring. A drama about telling big lies and small truths. About pigs that fall in love. About crows that talk. About running away from grief and finding yourself. The story of a 10 year-old boy on the edge – literally on the roof of his school – confronted by a situation that seems hopeless. He can either give up or fight. “A beautifully structured, evocatively phrased monologue…” ★★★★ The Herald Awarded the Dutch-German Author Prize in 2007 Winner of the 2015 International Performing Arts for Youth’s Victor Award for best theater production. Audience size: One class size, maximum 30 Running time: 40 mins plus an optional 15 min post-show discussion Space required: Performed to one class, in their own classroom Cost: £200 + VAT per day, maximum 2 performances For dates please contact: [email protected] INFORMATION FOR TEACHERSTeachers and children will enjoy the performance without prior knowledge of the story but the information packs below help teachers prepare and link to classroom plans.
Education Resources for Titus provided by Red Bridge Arts.
For two short films to show your class to prepare your class for a theatre experience in the school hall, one for you and one to show them, please see the RESOURCES section of our website.
MORE INFORMATIONABOUT THE PERFORMANCE
Titus is a one-actor show with a minimal set. The show has a running time of 40 minutes. There is no interval or break. In schools Titus is performed in a classroom for one class. The performance includes an element of surprise for the pupils who should not be told anything about the class ‘visitor’. The actor will come into a classroom mid lesson and take up position ideally on the teacher’s desk, or a sturdy desk at the front of the classroom. He stands on the edge of the desk and delivers his monologue from there. At the end of the performance he steps off the table, leaves and a fish is thrown into the classroom (by the stage manager). Usually the teacher’s desk, or a pupil’s desk is sturdy enough. The stage manager and performer will check the desk prior to performing. Setting up: Ideally the performer and technician will see the classroom, without pupils before the performance, this can be before schools starts or during a school break time. After the performance: A post show conversation (up to 15 minutes) with the company is also available and pupils get a huge amount from this experience. These conversations give pupils an opportunity to discuss themes explored in the show with the actor and open doors for teachers and pupils to talk honestly about growing up, grief, love, loss, loneliness and mental health issues. Pupils also enjoy behind to ‘see behind the scenes’ of the performance and finding out about the origins and practicalities of the show. Titus is a vivacious and funny story about a 10 year old boy standing on the edge of his school roof about to jump. Titus talks directly to the audience about everything - the loss of his mother, his father's inability to deal with his grief and relate to him; his friendships at school; meetings with his psychologist and his first love, Tina. Although these are very serious issues, Titus is delivered with a great deal of humour which young audiences enjoy. Titus is a boy with a huge imagination which helps him cope with stress and navigate difficult emotional situations in his life. themes & mental health awareness
Themes: Growing up, grief, love, loss, loneliness, mental health. Mental health awareness: Mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children and young people. They include depression, anxiety and conduct disorder, and are often a direct response to what is happening in their lives. The emotional wellbeing of children is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults. Titus can open doors for teachers and pupils to talk honestly about mental health issues. A number of resources are available online to support teaching on wellbeing and mental health. See the useful resources section at the end of the pack. |
Photography by Brian Hartley
INTERVIEWS WITH CREATIVE TEAM | ||
