A moving and timely Queen’s School production has been revived for a special two-night run.
‘The Raft’, devised by staff and pupils at the school, explores the emotive subject of the Syrian refugee crisis.
The play earned rave reviews, including five stars from the Chronicle after our reviewer was brought to tears, on its initial showing in February.
It has been brought back so it can be entered in National Student Drama Festival 2017.
Director Jo Band said: “We knew we had something of great value on our hands back in February, but it wasn’t until we had such impassioned feedback from audiences that we realised just how special this production was.
“Lots of people were saying ‘you have to do something more with it’, so we decided that we’d give the NSDF a go.
“It’s really ambitious, but we think we might just stand a chance.”
The structure of the drama – which takes its inspiration from Brecht - was drawn up over the summer of 2015 by teachers and students.
It was in response to the heart-breaking scenes of the refugees’ plight which were broadcast across the world.
The two-hour production explores the perspectives of refugees, migrants, aid workers, politicians, traffickers, tourists, residents and communities through the stories of three characters; a refugee, a migrant and an aid worker.
This time NSDF adjudicators will be coming along to watch. Queen’s will find out by January whether it has been selected to go to the finals in Hull next year.
Director Katharine Larder said: “We are hoping to sell more tickets this time as we feel this is a story more people should see.”
For more information and to book tickets contact the school office on 01244 312078.
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