The Schoolyard Front
Written for Boston Children's Theatre by Mick Broadhurst and Pete Read.
Performed on the 16 and 17 June 2010 at Blackfriars Theatre, Boston.
Synopsis
Evacuated 1939. Miles from home in the back of beyond. Are the local kids friendly? Who are the two misfit kids? ... and what is the secret of Crow's Wood?
To view BBC Lincolnshire "The Schoolyard Front" Page - please click here
The Schoolyard Front won a Noda Best Youth Production Award (2011) for our District within the East Midlands.
Performed on the 16 and 17 June 2010 at Blackfriars Theatre, Boston.
Synopsis
Evacuated 1939. Miles from home in the back of beyond. Are the local kids friendly? Who are the two misfit kids? ... and what is the secret of Crow's Wood?
To view BBC Lincolnshire "The Schoolyard Front" Page - please click here
The Schoolyard Front won a Noda Best Youth Production Award (2011) for our District within the East Midlands.
Review
THE SCHOOLYARD FRONT
Review by: Peter Breach
Presented by: BOSTON CHILDREN’S THEATRE
Venue: Blackfriars Theatre, Boston
Performance dates: 16th to 17th June 2010
Directors: Judith Hall & Clare White
This fascinating play was especially written by Mick Broadhurst and Peter Read for Boston Children’s Theatre and performed by 19 members aged 8 to 11 years. Based on the wartime evacuation of children from major cities to the countryside that took place in 1939, it is historically accurate and also contains details of the real life feelings and experiences of some of the evacuees and those children from the rural communities that received them. These details have been very carefully woven into an intriguing plot. For me, as a child of the period, I found this performance to be extremely profound and evocative, as did other members of the audience who were of my age group. The young performers, who had little or no previous knowledge of this evacuation, had obviously paid much attention to the background information given to them and used it to develop their characterisation which resulted in some extremely good performances. The absence of scenery and the extensive use of Improvisation allowed the audience a stronger focus on the young actors and their words. The costumes were of the period and stage lighting was used to good effect. The team of adults who supported this group in the production are to be congratulated, particularly Judith Hall and Clare White for their sensitive direction. The foyer display of World War II memorabilia also proved to be of considerable interest to the audience.
Review by: Peter Breach
Presented by: BOSTON CHILDREN’S THEATRE
Venue: Blackfriars Theatre, Boston
Performance dates: 16th to 17th June 2010
Directors: Judith Hall & Clare White
This fascinating play was especially written by Mick Broadhurst and Peter Read for Boston Children’s Theatre and performed by 19 members aged 8 to 11 years. Based on the wartime evacuation of children from major cities to the countryside that took place in 1939, it is historically accurate and also contains details of the real life feelings and experiences of some of the evacuees and those children from the rural communities that received them. These details have been very carefully woven into an intriguing plot. For me, as a child of the period, I found this performance to be extremely profound and evocative, as did other members of the audience who were of my age group. The young performers, who had little or no previous knowledge of this evacuation, had obviously paid much attention to the background information given to them and used it to develop their characterisation which resulted in some extremely good performances. The absence of scenery and the extensive use of Improvisation allowed the audience a stronger focus on the young actors and their words. The costumes were of the period and stage lighting was used to good effect. The team of adults who supported this group in the production are to be congratulated, particularly Judith Hall and Clare White for their sensitive direction. The foyer display of World War II memorabilia also proved to be of considerable interest to the audience.
