Shining a light into dark corners

Nov 13 2007 By Emma Paterson, The Journal

Child performers are not uncommon but Emma Paterson meets some talented child playwrights.

NEWCASTLE’S revamped Live Theatre is about to premiere the work of six new playwrights – all of them under the age of 11.

While many other of the region’s theatres are gearing up for panto season, Live offers a welcome dose of salts in the form of First Draft, a production about as far removed from your typical kiddie show as you could possibly hope to find.

First Draft presents the audience with a sometimes startling window on to the world of six children from Welbeck Primary School in the city’s East End.

These are not child geniuses, at least not that we’re aware, but children who aren’t afraid to tackle life head on.

“We’ve got some amazing kids,” says Welbeck’s head, Barrie Russell. “You have to be pretty smart and creative to deal with the problems that some of these kids face.” A fat rhino, a talking leaf, scary elves and an unfortunate DJ are just some of the strange and wonderful characters to be conjured up by his pupils and brought to life by a cast of professional actors.

One of the most poignant of the protagonists to appear on stage is an irrepressible dalmatian called Tim that is having a hard time getting to sleep, it’s late and nerves are beginning to fray. Frustrated, he turns to the audience.

“Sometimes other dogs make fun of me,” he says. “They call me hyper dog and crazy mutt.”

Tim is the creation of 10-year-old Alex Cook who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Alex says he’s “dead proud” that his play was chosen to be put on. The plays were selected by classmates after a series of in-school workshops run by Live. The children were then invited to the theatre to work one-on-one with professional writers and directors.

First Draft is an educational project which has been running for four years. Past plays have touched on issues of loneliness, bullying, peer pressure and broken families.

This year, too, the production shines a light into some dark and uncomfortable corners. Among those taking part in the project is experienced theatre director Deborah Bruce.

“There’s no filter between what the children feel and what they write,” she says. “I’ve seen actors and directors moved to tears during rehearsals.”

This year Deborah is directing the work of 10-year-old Brandon Scott.

“Brandon was amazing,” she says. “He came into rehearsal and behaved just like a professional writer. If your expectations are high then people will step up.”

Brandon’s play, The Unhappy Hunter, was inspired by his passionate interest in the natural world and endangered species.

The articulate sixth grader speaks with enthusiasm about the work he’s done. “We’ve been free to write what we want, so it’s been really, really good, like going on holiday.” Brandon wonders whether he might make a career out of writing. “I’ve got a whole pile of other stories at home,” he says, indicating just how high with his outstretched hands.

Staging the work of young children presents the production team with some interesting moral dilemmas, not least, how much they should allow the children to reveal of themselves?

The school sits between Byker to the East and Walker to the West. Unemployment in the area remains high.

Mr Russell believes in areas like this you have to be prepared to take a chance. “These are kids who don’t get an awful lot,” he says. “But these plays have given them a real feeling of success”

• The First Draft plays are on at Live Theatre, Broad Chare, Newcastle, from Thursday until Sunday at various times. Tel. (0191) 232-1232 or visit www.live.org.uk