Arc news: October 2013

Arc keeps it local with Peter Pan and Wendy
as Rooff invest in Barking & Dagenham performing arts!

Arc is delighted to announce that Barking-based construction company Rooff is investing in our Christmas show Peter Pan and Wendy, which is touring the Borough's primary schools throughout December.

Peter Pan and Wendy – especially devised for children from Reception to Year 6, is being produced by the creative team that brought Cinderella to The Broadway Barking in 2012 – with the play's writer Clifford Oliver also starring in the show alongside a cast of young graduate performers!  Among them is 19-year old *Olivia Graydon – also from Barking, while the production is being directed by Andrew Barry, and designed by Arc's Theresa Snooks – a Barking resident for almost 30 years!

Clifford Oliver, Arc's Artistic Director said; “Along with a brand new music score by Phil Gostelow, Arc will be retelling J.M. Barrie's classic tale with an original new blend of soaring melodies, pirate shanties and fairytale wonder, all combined in an exciting and inspiring new score!  And as if our fun-filled performance isn't thrilling enough, we'll also be giving your children a unique opportunity to participate in the show!  We'll be needing a few fearless young'uns to become our very own ‘Lost Boys' in Neverland…”

Steve Drury, Director at Rooff said; "The Rooff Group are strongly supporting delivery of innovative creative performing arts to the community, through its financial investment in Arc Theatre's Peter Pan and Wendy winter show.  This continued commitment to the arts forms just part of the overall vision for the new creative industries Icehouse Quarter, located at the historic Malthouse and Granary buildings in Abbey Road.  This new destination is home to a varied mix of creative people and organisations, with a shared outlook on creative community engagement."

*Peter Pan and Wendy is also the latest acting contract with Arc for young graduate Olivia Graydon, who studied Musical Theatre at CPA and is a world Irish Dancing champion (CLRG World Irish Dance Championships 2013, Ladies 18-19 category).  She is also currently in the team touring Barking & Dagenham secondary schools with Arc's powerful sexting and cyberbullying programme Broadcast led by Education Director Natalie Smith – which uses Arc's brand of interactive Forum Theatre to help young people understand the risks, consequences and legal facts surrounding technology abuse. Broadcast toured the Borough in the summer thanks to funding from the B&D Serious Youth Violence Partnership, and is now performing for other Year Groups in the Borough's schools, with new funding courtesy of The Broadway Trust Fund and Studio 3 Arts.

Olivia Graydon performing in Broadcast alongside established Arc actor Lee Vassell

Talking about Arc's Broadcast programme, PC Graeme Halleron said; “As a School Police Officer, I deal, almost on a daily basis, with some form of Facebook, Twitter or sexting incident.  However, this usually only concerns the students directly involved.  We see day after day, headlines about social network sites and how they affect young people who are not educated enough in on-line security, thus causing misery and suffering to many.  I believe that, if practical, the whole school should have this presentation, as it would benefit all students and staff alike.  Year 7 and 8 students are young enough for this presentation to be used on the whole as a preventive tool.  For the remainder of the school, it could be used for information and advice, to prevent students getting into situations that are hard to get out of or indeed breaking the law.  From experience, it is highly unlikely that many of the students who see this presentation will talk about it with their parents.  However it is the parents that share a joint responsibility to monitor and protect what their children get up to on-line.”

---

 

Peter Pan and Wendy booking now - reserve your schools performance today!

Touring throughout December 2013, Arc's Peter Pan and Wendy promises to be enchanting entertainment suitable for all the family, with schools performances ideally suited to Reception to Year 6. Each 60-minute performance can accommodate audiences of up to 250 in the school hall (space providing) for a price of £850 (plus VAT).

EARY BIRD BOOKING DISCOUNT EXTENDED! Schools in Barking & Dagenham and across London and Essex can still advantage of our 10% discount offer, reducing the performance price to just £765 (plus VAT)!

“Arc's production offers up an enjoyable blend of engaging audience participation – much to the visible delight of younger audience members - and a bustling script, punctured with bursts of accomplished song and dance.”
Barking and Dagenham Post Newspaper

“… it was a fantastic production and everyone commented on how much they enjoyed it! I also came as a teacher at a school in the borough and all the staff and children alike had a wonderful time!”
Panto audience member and local teacher

There is still limited availability for December - to reserve your preferred date, please email Theresa Snooks or Nita Bocking or call us at Arc on 020 8594 1095.

Download Peter Pan and Wendy flyer (PDF, 236k)

 

Hover over flyer for reverse...