What is art? That is the question primary school children are asked to answer in a national competition run by Artis, an organisation that integrates performing arts into learning. Rebecca Boyle Suh, executive chairman of Artis says: ‘The competition creates a lot of questions for teachers and children to work through together. Our aim is to provoke a discussion in primary schools.’ The competition is supported with a detailed teaching resource that uses internationally renowned artist Do Ho Suh’s sculpture, Toilet, as a stimulus, as well as performing arts activities designed to support class teachers in thinking around this question. All the information you need is at www.artiseducation/whatisart The deadline for entries is Friday 27th March 2015.
Now in its fifth year, the Wicked Young Writers’ Award is now open for entries. The award is spearheaded by Michael Morpurgo, to recognise excellence in writing, encourage creativity and develop writing talent in young people between 5-25 years of age from across the panel. Cressida Cowell, author of the How to Train Your Dragon series joins the judging panel, alongside Michael McCabe, UK Executive Producer of Wicked, and Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust. The 2015 Award also marks the launch of the Sugarscape Fan Fiction Award, a new category created by teen entertainment website sugarscape.com to celebrate the growing popularity of fan fiction. Sophie Max, 17, who has been a finalist three times, and once a winner, said: ‘Being a finalist spurred me on and gave me confidence in myself as a writer.’ Pieces of writing must be submitted by Friday 18 April 2015. Some fabulous prizes are up for grabs so get involved at WickedYoungWriters.com
Collaboration is the name of the game these days and here’s news of an unusual partnership – education charity Into Film and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Reel to Real gives students a chance to watch films in the museum enhanced by collections and displays to give new insights into English texts. Each free screening is accompanied by a post-film discussion hosted by Into Film, and students will then be invited to explore the museum further. Schools can also participate in Reel to Real remotely by setting up an Into Film Club and ordering the films from the Into Film catalogue. The accompanying resources – commencing with Romeo and Juliet – will be available for all schools to download in advance. Screenings must be pre-booked by calling the V&A on 020 7942 2211. For more information and resources visit www.intofilm.org.
Love this from Peripeteia Press: The Art of Writing Literature Essays for A-level and Beyond which is packed with the essential information A-level students need to obtain the top grades. The book takes readers on a learning journey, from understanding the demands of a question, through the planning and writing stages, and on to the complexities of using contexts, critics and critical theory effectively. Packed with examples drawn from a wide range of popular A-level texts, such as Frankenstein, The Great Gatsby and King Lear, the book is a comprehensive guide to writing top-grade essays. Brilliant. For more information peripeteia.webs.com
Russian State Ballet and Opera House® presents Verdi’s Opera Rigoletto (sung in Italian with English subtitles). This tragic tale of misunderstanding, revenge and sacrifice is brought to life by a large cast and live orchestra. A succession of stunning tunes, including the famous La donna è mobile, combined with an underlying tension and menace in a plot involving abduction, seduction and revenge, this is one for opera lovers and novices alike. For details visit www.opera-tickets.co.uk
What a corker! The National Theatre will enable classrooms to stream productions on demand free of charge from September. Nothing more to add. Sign up now at nationaltheatre.org.uk/schools
Dubbed the nation’s favourite play – not sure why but it’s a good marketing line I guess. That should not put you off taking a look at Alan Bennett’s The History Boys playing around the country. The story of a group of bright, funny and unruly sixth-formers in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university continues to appeal – maybe because it remains close to home, with league tables and staffroom rivalry. A great cast does the business. Tour details at www.selladoor.com.
Firstly, well done Barrie Rutter, artistic director of Northern Broadsides, who received an OBE in the New Year’s honours list. It’ll sit quite nicely as he becomes King Lear in this Jonathan Miller-directed production on tour until June. Not to be missed. More at www.northern-broadsides.co.uk