The National Theatre is encouraging primary school teachers across the Midlands to join its newly launched programme, Let’s Play, which gives schools the chance to put on a play specially commissioned and developed by the National Theatre.
Let’s Play commissions exciting new plays with songs and music for children to perform and provides teachers with training and professional development to help them create an extraordinary piece of theatre with children at both Key Stage 1 and 2. New plays commissioned for Let’s Play include A Quest for Arthur, a lively re-telling of the legends of King Arthur, Megaball, an original piece exploring friendship, and Hercules and Phoebe, inspired by the Greek myth.
The programme inspires creative learning across the curriculum and pupils will have the opportunity to get involved with all aspects of planning and creating a theatre production – from performing to designing costumes to operating sound. Let’s Play aims to bring together the whole school community to celebrate the creation of a school play and the achievements of all involved. The National Theatre is aiming to recruit at least 700 schools across the UK to take part in Let's Play over the next 3 years.
Lisa Burger, Executive Director at the National Theatre said, “It is great to see that so many schools across the UK have already signed up so their pupils can take part in Let’s Play this Summer term. We would like to welcome more teachers from across the Midlands and there is still time to join if they act fast. At the National we believe all young people should have the chance to see, make and explore theatre as a core part of their education. With Let’s Play we are providing everything a school might need to produce a school play and an approach to creativity that brings together the whole school community, including teachers, pupils and parents. This is part of our commitment to support teachers and schools to ensure the arts, including drama and theatre, play a vital part in school life.”
Let’s Play was launched last month by Sir Lenny Henry, a member of the National Theatre’s board of trustees, at Hill Mead Primary School in Brixton.
Schools are encouraged to visit nationaltheatre.org.uk/letsplay to find out more about the programme and to register to apply. Recruitment to take part in the programme starting this summer term closes at the end of April 2018 and includes a special introductory offer which gives schools access to the programme for an additional term at no extra cost (usually £350 per academic year).
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation is supporting the programme across the UK. Catherine Sutton, Senior Grants Manager from PHF commented “School productions are important occasions in the primary school calendar and a valuable vehicle for pupils’ learning. Let’s Play will enable schools to extend and deepen the opportunities for creative teaching and learning offered by school productions, to build teachers’ knowledge and confidence and to develop children’s skills and enjoyment of drama and theatre. We’re delighted to be supporting this new programme.”
