P.T.A. & FRIENDS WE DESPERATELY NEED YOU!

With a little bit of luck, BREXIT could be resolved before the end of this decade!
The housing shortage could then be tackled!
The N.H.S could be made to work better!
Obesity could be overcome! (Incidentally, why don't they just do what they did with tobacco - keep everything that contains sugar under lock and key. And, whilst they are about it, include all foodstuffs that contain salt. That would make shopping so much easier!)
Where was I ?
Oh yes,
EDUCATION
Has anyone in Government ever considered the possibility that this Country's future depends on the young?
I suspect not. Otherwise, we would be spending a great deal more on educating them.
So, it falls on the public to do more.
We hear regularly of situations where there has to be a "whip round" to buy pencils, books and even toilet paper.
So what chance the ARTS and DRAMA!
Live drama has long been recognised as a powerful tool in the education process; whether it be watching PERFORMANCES or participating in WORKSHOPS.
If THEATRE IN EDUCATION is to survive, it needs the help of the teachers, parents and friends.
Be prepared to go out and raise funds. Dig deep in your pockets and provide subsidies.
After all, your Government is showing little interest!
Finished bitching but, just before I go, take a look at some photos from a play we recently performed. See if you can guess what it was.
Until again, Albert .....

T. I. E. AND S.E.N.

Over the years I have written much about what we can do and offer, and today I want to mention something I have barely touched on despite it being a very important area , and one in which I believe we excel, having gained a great deal of experience spanning many years.
I am talking about SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.
Of course, every school has a SENCO (SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS CO-ORDINATOR) assigned to the children requiring special attention for many different reasons: dedicated individuals with specialist skills. We always try to introduce ourselves to them on arrival to ensure those in their care will be okay with our performance.
BUT, beyond this we have a wealth of experience in performing at SPECIAL SCHOOLS covering the whole spectrum from moderate to multiple and profound needs.
IN FACT, our very first performance on the IDES of MARCH 1999 was "The Story of Aesop's Fables" at Springhallow School in Ealing.
Back then it was the only play we had on offer and, fortunately, our Director and Creator lived close by.
We at once realised how important it was to bring live drama to some who would probably never have the pleasure of visiting a theatre.
Since that first day we have performed many of our plays at numerous SPECIAL SCHOOLS, and conducted DRAMA WORKSHOPS.
I will leave you with just one example of a fairly recent occurrence:
A booking had been made for a performance of our play "WORLD WAR II" to be followed by a one hour DRAMA WORKSHOP based on the subject at a SPECIAL SCHOOL. At the time of booking we were informed that the audience would comprise around 30 pupils with moderate learning ability.
On the day we arrived the headteacher told us that they had just accepted a small unit of four pupils in wheelchairs and, whilst they would watch the play, they would not be able to participate in the workshop.
We gave this some serious thought and concluded they would be able to participate; they would dance in their wheelchairs in celebration of the end of the war; a real winner with the head teacher.
The final word.... INCLUSION!