Pioneering Theatre in the West Midlands
Now Booking:
Spring 2009: The Promise -
Touring UK schools for a brighter future!
Summer 2009: Behind A Smile -
Addressing a serious issue for children
Autumn 2009: Sparx -
West Midlands schools' tour of the hard hitting fire drama
Christmas 2009: Beauty and The Beast -
A great child-centred pantomime based on the classic tale
Recent productions
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Booking for Spring 2009.......
The Promise
by Lesley Beaumont
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'The Promise is fantastic! From the moment the show starts until the rapturous applause at the end, the performers hold the audience's attention with popular characters from film, amazing sound and light and endless gags and humour. The messages about progression routes, opportunities and challenges come through clearly as well. Our schools in the area make this an annual event in the Y9 calendar' |
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Sue Blakemore, Aimhigher Newcastle-on-Tyne |
"A first rate piece of musical theatre"
The future seems a long way away to Steven and his friends.
The weekend is a priority and GCSEs are a million miles away.
But Friday night doesn't go according to plan.
Can Puss in Boots help Steven decide on a career?
Does Gandalf know the way?
Will Nurse Beyonce be jealous of Duffy?
Just who is The Rabbit and what does he want?
The future for Steven is one big nightmare. Get a job? Stay on at school? Work on his music? What should he do? Zip Theatre's new play The Promise was originally commissioned by Wolverhampton's Education Authority as part of the Aimhigher Programme and is designed to encourage young people to consider their post 16 options.
Updated for Autumn 2008, the piece encouages audiences to consider The Diploma as one of those options.
The Promise is an engaging, motivational programme aimed at students in Years 9 & 10 which explores options, doubts and new opportunities in an entertaining and accessible format. With fantastic characters, live music, plenty of action and high quality drama delivered by Zip's experienced professional team, The Promise is an experience that students will not forget when making choices about their future options.
The Promise is fun but it has a serious message. The play includes popular music and colourful characters and the intention is that young people watching the performance will be encouraged to consider their post 16 options.
"This production is a first rate piece of musical theatre which fuses popular culture,
music and comedy in what is an excellent and thought-provoking show, pitched perfectly at its young audience.
As ever with Zip, it is presented in a magnificently professional and enthusiastic manner."
The Promise will tour secondary schools in the UK
from February 2009.
Booking for Summer 2009.......
Behind A Smile
by Jon Lingard-Lane
"An excellent way of addressing a very sensitive issue.
It is important for children to be aware of this very serious subject.
Thank you."
It is important for children to be aware of this very serious subject.
Thank you."
Behind A Smile is a preventative work of theatre-in-education which has been carefully designed for pupils
in Years 6, 7 & 8
to raise awareness of the very real issues around the sexual exploitation of children.
As a result of Zip Theatre's excellent track record of effective work around this issue, and in response to needs expressed by professionals in the field, this important piece of work has been accurately researched and developed with the input of child protection specialists and other professional experts.
"This play is very well written and will raise awareness in young people who see it.
The play allows the viewer to discover for him or herself how easy it is to be exploited."
Tim Brain, Chief Constable of Gloucestershire - ACPO spokesperson on prostitution and related vice matters.
The play Behind A Smile clearly demonstrates for children the early warning signs of potentially abusive relationships.
Accurate information is given about how and where to seek effective help.
The programme includes a follow-up workshop for each young person who sees the play.
The workshop is delivered within a structured, enjoyable and safe framework.
"The content is very comprehensive, many of the hidden dangers are revealed.
The use of language is excellent and pertinent to the age group.
The performance was gripping and entirely believable and children's attention was held throughout.
The presentation was pitched at the right level and is entertaining as well as being informative.
The follow-up workshop made children think, made them unpick what they had seen and heard
and gave them strategies to cope.
This was a worthwhile experience for the staff as well as the children.
It gave me pointers to address this issue if it ever arises in school".
(Headteacher of a Wolverhampton school.)
Behind A Smile is a unique and important programme of work
Booking for Autumn 2009.......
Contact Sharon Ryal at Zip Theatre
To book a free performance of Sparx!
for Autumn 2009
at your secondary school in
Dudley, Shropshire, Staffordshire,
Walsall or Warwickshire.
sharon@ziptheatre.co.uk
01902 572250
Sparx!
by Jon Lingard-Lane
Zip Theatre's very successful play about arson - developed through an exciting and important partnership between the West Midlands Arson Task Force and Zip Theatre is designed to raise awareness of the dangers of malicious fires and the importance of fire safety for young people.
Originally presented in theatres throughout the West Midlands, this outstanding play has been adapted for a new tour of secondary schools in Dudley, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Walsall and Warwickshire. Targeted at children in Year 8, the 45 minute performance is followed by a 30 minute workshop.
The messages of Sparx! are reinforced with contemporary music and original songs and young people are encouraged to take a responsible attitude towards fire safety.
"This dangerous, hard-hitting and disturbing play raises awareness among the target group
of the costs and very real dangers inherent in malicious fire setting."
Some comments from teachers who have seen the show:
"The most powerful production for teenagers that we have ever seen."
"The message was direct and well delivered by talented actors."
"Sparx is an outstanding example of getting young people to think seriously about an important issue."
"It was a superb theatrical experience, brilliantly written, performed and staged."
"Superb acting and use of resources appealed to a range of learning styles."
"The music was very powerful and effective."
"An excellent performance which initiated lots of discussion work
and resulted in pupils admitting some of the arson they had committed."
"The use of multi-media was very effective."
"We would like to hear in advance about any other similar productions for teenagers."
Comment received from a teacher whose pupils saw the show in June 2007:
"Sparx! is a powerful and thought provoking play, which the children thoroughly enjoyed.
The play was pitched at exactly the right level - hard hitting but realistic. The way in which it was delivered appealed to Year 8, an adult topic delivered to a teenage audience and sinking in is a tall order - Sparx managed it.
The follow up pack has allowed us to continue working towards educating children about the dangers of fire and continue taking preventative measures to stop arson before children consider it.
The reality of the consequences really hit home in the final scene and the pupils were very enthusiastic about the play afterwards. I truly believe this play has had an impact on our Year 8 and it will hopefully make a difference in their futures. Thank you, this really added another dimension to the fire safety work we have already done. Brilliant.
Mrs Anne Parker, Assistant Headteacher, Churnet View Middle School
Contact Sharon Ryal at Zip Theatre
To book a free performance of Sparx!
for Autumn 2009
at your secondary school in
Dudley, Shropshire, Staffordshire,
Walsall or Warwickshire.
sharon@ziptheatre.co.uk
01902 572250
Zip's 29th Annual Touring Pantomime now booking for Christmas 2009.......
Beauty and The Beast
by Jon Lingard-Lane
Zip Theatre's Pantomimes are a special treat for children of all ages. Traditional stories are given a humorous and contemporary treatment which delights young and family audiences everywhere.
"....better than the Harry Potter films!" (A young Zip panto fan.)
"Zip Puts on Panto with Gusto"
Robin Hood {Christmas 2007}
Zip Theatre has a real winner in this delightful 70 minute production which is a first class rendition of the classic pantomime.
This show works incredibly well, as the enthusiastic response from its young school audience demonstrated. Zip combines all the magical elements of traditional modern panto - bright and sparkly costumes, colourful expressive scenery, lots of popular sing along and dance routines and plenty of jokes and slapstick comedy - all coupled with an impressive enthusiasm. Wonderfully scripted by Jon Lingard-Lane - a great show - and not just entertaining for the kids.