Archives and theatre might not seem like the most obvious of
couplings but one of the projects that Jo has been working on with Durham at War
put it to the test:
Marigold Hughes, the schools producer for Theatre Centre,
got in touch with the Record Office at the end of last year about working on the “Into the Trenches” project. Marigold is
originally a Durham lass but works with Theatre Centre in London and so was
keen to develop a project in this area.
Although not exactly what we are used to doing, we jumped at the chance.
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| Farringdon School post-performance review, photograph taken by Chris Auld |
The project centred around a performance of Theatre Centre’s
play “The Muddy Choir”, featuring three Sunderland men in the trenches in the First World War. Each of the five schools involved (Parkview,
Chester-le-Street; Hermitage, Chester-le-Street; Egglescliffe School, Stockton;
Sandhill View Arts School, Sunderland and Farringdon Community Academy,
Sunderland) saw a performance of the play and got the chance to discuss
performance and characterisation with the cast.
The kids then worked with Live Theatre’s award winning playwright, Paddy Campbell, and their
creative writing guru, Tracy Gillman, to produce their own piece of
theatre. The performances took place
the week of the 16 March.
My part in all this started in November when I started
pulling together two sessions to be delivered to the students in order to
provide historical background and an insight into research techniques. I went into all five schools in December and
January. I was even in a class that was
visited by an Ofsted inspector! I tried,
as much as possible, to draw on local stories of life on the Home Front and of
recruitment and conscription. We
listened to the incomparable Lizzie Holmes of Horden and wondered at the
experience of conscientious objectors from Chester-le-Street, Ferryhill and Esh
Winning.
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| Performance by The Hermitage, photograph taken by Chris Auld |
Fast forward to March.
The groups that I had worked with did everyone involved in the project
proud. The plays involved some beautiful
writing and moving performances, not to mention impressive props and sound
effects! Videos of all the work that the
kids did will be available to view on Theatre Centre’s website in the next few weeks. I, for one, will be viewing them all
again. I am unwilling to confirm whether
there will be a packet of hankies by my side, just in case something gets in my
eye.
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| Egglescliffe finish their performance, photograph taken by Chris Auld |
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