Arc news: November 2009
Arc brings drama to London's Waterloo Station with two interactive events!
As part of The Learning Revolution's October Festival and September's London Week of Peace, Arc brought groundbreaking new opportunities for debate and interaction to the public this autumn
On 23 October, Arc performed a specially commissioned interactive theatre piece on Waterloo Station concourse as part of the BIS Leaning Revolution's October Festival. Presented in partnership with the Citizenship Foundation as part of the new Campaign for National Speaking, Arc's performances were open to everyone passing through Waterloo and made possible by the kind support of the British Transport Police.
Joe Russell is very proud to be giving away his granddaughter, Kat, at her wedding. But with two weeks to go he’s having sleepless nights, having never spoken in public before! Not wanting to let Kat down, Joe has come up with a cunning plan to avoid his own embarrassment and ensure that Kat and everyone will be happy!
... Or has he?
Arc's The Hitch - interactive theatre at Waterloo, photographs by Richard Kempton
Quotes from the event:
"The very first time I had to speak in public, my legs turned to jelly and I couldn't speak for the first 30 seconds - my mouth froze."- Ola Aralepo
"I really hate it and I really resist it, but I think it's something I need to learn to do." - Erica Sharle
"It's important to help people overcome their lack of confidence and help them to realise that anybody can speak - they just need a bit of practice. Public speaking builds your confidence and it's great fun at the end." - Gwyn Redgers, Speakers Trust
"I have a stammer and I have been working on being a better public speaker, and seeing the event today has really inspired me." - Brian Richmond
Building a National Campaign for Public Speaking
“The confidence to speak in formal or public settings - whether this is to make a speech, give a presentation, put a question in a public meeting, participate in formal meetings with those in power, participate in a debate or, even, take to the stage - is a key citizenship skill; one that builds self-confidence and self-esteem, develops the capacity to drive social change, and enhances employability.”
Tony Breslin, Chief Executive, Citizenship Foundation
National Campaign for Public Speaking Founding Partners: Arc Theatre, Association of Speakers Clubs, Citizenship Foundation, The English Speaking Union, Speakers Bank, Speakers Trust and Toastmasters.
To find out more about Arc and our work for The Learning Revolution, contact Theresa Snooks.
About the Learning Revolution Festival
In October, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills launched The Learning Revolution Festival - a month long celebration of everything that’s great about learning for pleasure and the benefits it brings to individuals, families, businesses and communities.
For more information on informal adult education events and participating organisations, go to...
Boy X by Clifford Oliver, directed by Carole Pluckrose
On 22 September, Arc performed two unique public performances of Boy X as part of London Week of Peace. British Transport Police's full article can be read on their website at: www.btp.presscentre.com
Superintendent Jim Little of British Transport Police said: "Weapon-related crime, although rare on public transport, affects both victims' families and their communities and that is why we have a duty both to the victims and the public to take a tough approach to those who are caught carrying knives and to protect the vast majority of people who don't."
Arc's Boy X - interactive theatre at Waterloo, photographs by Tristan Appleby
Carole Pluckrose, CEO of Arc said: "I am delighted with British Transport Police's bold initiative to stage a full length performance of Arc Theatre's powerful anti-knife crime play 'Boy X' on the Waterloo Station concourse as part of the London Week of Peace. We believe that this has never been done at a station before!
"Our four young actors, who have personal experience of life on gang-dominated estates, were excited about reaching out to as many passengers and passers-by as possible because they are passionate about communicating our message that the urgent issue of young people, gangs and knives is all of our responsibility.
"This is a powerful call to action for business people, educators, young people and the community as a whole to take a lead in projects that will support those involved and rid our streets of these senseless tragedies."
Download South London press article (PDF, 382k)
Download Barking & Dagenham Post article (PDF, 372k)
Download Waterloo flyer with full information (PDF, 196k)
With special thanks for their support in making Arc's Waterloo drama events possible:
About Boy X
Arc's hard-hitting new play Boy X - the third in the powerful Stereo Trilogy by Clifford Oliver is performing for school, college and adult audiences around London and the South-East throughout 2009, including Barnet, Hackney, Thames Valley, Enfield and Ealing.
Boy X builds on the themes of Stereo and To Die For, exploring weapon-carrying, gang culture and violent crime. The play is performed by four of Arc's dynamic young actors who, along with actor Troy Glasgow, helped develop the story through workshops drawing upon real experiences of living on gang dominated estates. The play is followed by a lively discussion where young people are offered a safe forum to talk about their feelings, fears and the complex pressures they experience.
Boy X was first performed on 17 February at EC1 Music Project in partnership with The Flavasum Trust, in memory of Tom Easton who was stabbed to death after leaving work there in September 2006. For more information, visit: http://www.theflavasumtrust.org/partners/arctheatre.
“People think you are more protected if you have a knife, but you're not - it just brings you more trouble.”
Year 9 student, Hounslow school
"I was privileged to be in the audience last evening and to experience such a powerful drama, performed by four compelling young men. I really hope that engaging with our young people at risk through such drama, complemented by the standing up of good role models, in homes, wider families, and the community, will see a way out of the descending spiral of senseless activity, violence and killing."
Robin Field-Smith MBE, HM Inspector of Constabulary (Personnel, Training & Diversity), HM Inspectorate of Constabulary
To book Boy X
The performance with follow-up discussion is available for booking now. To find out more, call Arc on 020 8594 1095 or download the Briefing Document.
Download full Boy X Briefing Document (PDF, 924k)
The Stereo Trilogy
To find out more, contact Nita Bocking, General Manager on 020 8594 1095 or by email.
