Sir Lenny Henry was a major attraction in Birmingham as he visited Shenley Academy to launch the National Theatre’s On Demand in Schools Primary, the second phase of the National Theatre’s digital initiative offering acclaimed curriculum-linked productions free of charge, to schools across the country. At the Academy, in Weoley Castle, in the south of the city, he facilitated workshops for the students, providing rudimentary pointers, before opening up to questions, the multi-award winning star of stage and screen imparted some of the knowledge he accrued, as a stand-up comedian and theatrical actor, to an auditorium of students who were keen to take-in his every passing word.
On the art of acting and performing before a live audience; “The influences that the right people around me was the most import on my career, in particular, and life, in general,” said the much-loved star. “Whilst others didn’t take my talent seriously, my friends always encouraged me,” Henry said. “They were the ones who were always behind me.”
Speaking about the ‘On Demand in Schools Primary’ initiative,to making the very best theatre and sharing it with as many people as possible, he said; “The National Theatre is the greatest there is in the UK so it’s important that everybody takes advantage of this scheme to fulfill their potential.
Art is everywhere you walk – Whatever you do,” he said. “Wherever you go there’s art, but the very best art is that which you create yourself. We have been using On Demand in Schools for the last year and in that time pupils and teachers have found it a brilliant resource,” said Academy Assistant Principal, Ian Horgan. “The programme means teachers can study key scenes with students or show the full production over a number of lessons.”
Of his proudest ever moments in his life, Sir Lenny enthused; “That’s simple – my daughter, Billie, and Comic Relief. They, without doubt, fill me with the greatest pride ever imaginable.”
Every primary and secondary school in the UK can now access world-class theatre on demand with Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure ‘Treasure Island,’ the first primary age production to be made available. Director of Learning at the NT, Alice King-Farlow, said: “The success (and demand) On Demand in SchoolsSecondary has confirmed our belief that teachers and schools across the UK are passionate about giving young people access to inspirational theatre.”
