Mad jokers and biters

Press, 26 February 1986, Page 18

Mad jokers and biters

The Court Theatre’s theatre in education company will present two plays in. schools, both dealing with real situations.

The first show, which will be presented during the year, is a play for five to 10 year olds, written by Christchurch writer, Michelanne Forster. It is called “Mad Jokers, Fighters and Biters.”

It revolves around situations children may find themselves in, of their own making or otherwise. The central

character is Gertrude Finklebottom who runs a Parents’ Advice Bureau to give parents advice on raising their children.

“Mad Jokers, Fighters and Biters” is directed by Bryan Aitken. The cast is June Harvest from Christchurch, Kim Picket from Auckland and Brett Al-

cock from Wellington. The second play is an experiment in theatre in education for the Court. It was written by Ken Hudson and will be presented to fifth formers in the second term.

It deals with the subject of violence in the com-' munity. In January the play was workshopped by a group of three actors

from the Arts Employment Scheme and the director, Elizabeth O’Connor, with Richard Tulloch, an Australian director of drama in schools.

The Department of Education is supporting the production which contains information aspects of production, design, casting and acting. Schools will get a copy of the script this term and

the T.I.E. company will visit in the second term. In the interval schools can work on the play any way they choose.

When the company visits the school can perform the play with the help of the actors in whatever way it chooses.

The play will be performed in its entirety by the company in the Court’s Studio at the end of the second term. The performance will be followed by a discussion of drama techniques.