STUDENTS have been putting their creativity to the test by developing original pieces of work inspired by the Chester Mystery Plays.
This work has been part of the “Sharing the Mystery” project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
South Wirral High School in Eastham is a visual and performing arts college. Jeanette Arnold, the school’s head of performing arts, introduced an evening of performance work to a packed house in the school’s drama studio.
“All of the work seen has been created by the students themselves”, she said. “The Year 9 GCSE Expressive Arts students have worked in small groups, combining drama, dance, music and art in devised pieces that will be examined formally as part of their course.
“Our Year 10s are at the start of a two year GCSE drama course, and they’ve developed ensemble pieces in their two class groups.”
The Sharing the Mystery project has enabled Chester Mystery Plays to engage with groups and communities that haven’t been involved before.
“It’s been absolutely fascinating to see the responses of the different groups to the plays, and totally inspiring to see the tremendous work produced by these young people,” said Jo Sykes, chairman of Chester Mystery Plays.
“Their imagination and creativity has been really impressive.”
The immediate legacy of the project is to leave the young participants with new theatre experiences and the school with lesson plans and ideas for future work.
For more information on Chester Mystery Plays projects and the next production in 2013 (for which tickets are now on sale), see www.chestermysteryplays.com or email info@chestermysteryplays.com.
