solomon theatre company programme 2011/12

Communicate

drama

TOURING THEATRE COMPANY

and educatethrough

Solomon awSept:Layout 1 9/9/11 11:10

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Solomon Theatre Company -specialists in communicatingmessages on the promotion ofhealthy lifestyles and healthyschools that result in crimereduction and improvedcommunity safety.From our base on the Hampshire, Wiltshire andDorset borders we tour theatre shows to all partsof the United Kingdom. Working with a variety ofmedia including film, role play and workshops ourclients now include hundreds of schools, many ofthe UK Police Forces and Primary Care Trusts aswell as numerous Unitary, Borough and CountyCouncils. Since 2003 our mission has remained the same,to harness the power of great drama foreducation and to deliver our work to as large anaudience as possible. Last academic year alone,we toured theatre shows to over 375 schools andvenues touching the hearts and minds of over75,000 people. We also produce films andpresent at various conferences enabling us toextend our reach further still.

Introducing the company

Letter from the founder.

People ask me how I ended up running a theatrecompany after training and working as an engineer.The catalyst for change was in 2000 when on theproduction team for “Wind in the Willows”. For thefirst time I witnessed the raw power of live theatreand like every engineer was determined todismantle it, understand it and build it better. In2003 Solomon Theatre Company was founded. WhySolomon Theatre Company? Because KingSolomon, recorded as the wisest man to ever havelived, is said to have pursued wisdom, knowledgeand happiness. Solomon Theatre Company is agroup of professionals seeking wisdom andimparting knowledge whilst making the processenjoyable! Even the difficult and serious subjectswe handle can be presented in a professional andyet enjoyable way which ensures they arememorable for the audience and really do changeattitudes and behaviour as well as increasingknowledge.

No matter how many thousands of young peoplewe might work with each week I’m only too awareof the hundreds of thousands out there strugglingwith the topics we work with and that is why I’munashamedly ambitious to reach as many of them,as powerfully as we possibly can. I hope we canextend our impact in the next year.

Forest Paget 2011

Solomon Theatre Company is a creative and fluidteam with numerous young casts, many of whichchange from tour to tour, working alongside aconstant core group. It is their experience,training and skills that gives Solomon TheatreCompany its unique blend of artistic creativity andbusiness acumen.

Forest studied engineering at Bath University andlater took a MBA there, founding Solomon in May2003, he has written some of the plays alongsideothers.

Forest Paget

Managing Director

Mark studied at The Bristol Old Vic. He directsand has written many of the Solomon plays andshares his time with Solomon, the BBC andCheltenham’s Everyman Theatre. Mark was in“The Wicker Man”.

Mark Hyde

Writer, Actor & Director

Josh studied at the Webber Douglas Academy ofDramatic Art. He joined Solomon in 2006 andhaving toured and facilitated most Solomonshows, now manages the teams and the castingand recruitment.

Josh Marriott

Production Manager, Actor & Facilitator

Angela trained at the New College of Speech andDrama, her voice can be heard throughout Chinaas Ms Smart in Macmillan’s hugely successfulspeaking books.

Angela Gilder

Writer, Actor & Director

Who’s Who


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Quality Ethos High quality is a fundamental part of the Solomonethos. We combine the fluid and creative powerof working in the arts with a professional,business-like approach to all our work. Clients hosting a Solomon performance can havecomplete confidence that the performance will beappropriate, engaging and meet their educationalgoals. From casting only the best graduates, toworking with crafted scripts, well designed setsand professional directors, even optimising thetravel and accommodation logistics, we strive forhigh quality performances delivered on time.Working in collaboration with academic bodies, ourscientific approach to service design ensures thatour projects reflect latest best practice, both interms of effective theatre in education models aswell as current thinking in the areas of publichealth and socio-economics. Evaluation on every performance is sought fromschool staff after they host a show and this thencontributes to the ongoing improvement anddevelopment of our projects. Over the past twoyears, 94% of the feedback we’ve received ratedour work as “Excellent” or “Good”. Many clients also author papers on theeffectiveness of our education work, the impact ithas on learning and the overall benefits. Wherepossible, feedback and published papers are madeavailable via our website.

“Being good in business is themost fascinating kind of art andgood business is the best art”

Andy Warhol

Solomon Associates (UK) Ltd

High Street, Damerham, Hampshire, SP6 3EUT: 01725 518760 E: [email protected]

www.solomon-theatre.co.uk

“ Quality is not an act, it is a habit” Aristotle

Vision for growthOur vision is to impact the lives of as manyyoung people as possible. Last year wedelivered to over 375 schools but with morethan 4000 secondary schools still to reachthroughout the UK we maintain our strategy forgrowth. To grow and yet continually improve theservice quality and remain financially secure isthe business challenge. To this end we takegreat care to monitor quality, manage our costsand operate with minimal borrowing. Thisensures the wealth of experience we’vegained thus far is available as a resource tohelp develop future work.

PSHE Staff evaluation

I learned a lotfrom the day.

The day wasenjoyable.

My attitude toalcohol haschanged.

I will be morecareful withalcohol now.

I think the dayshould be

repeated for year9 next year.

Poor Below par OK Good Excellent

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

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90%

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Student evaluation Strongly agree Agree


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Every year we are pleased to be reachingfurther afield. Follow the link on ourwebsite to an interactive map showingthe latest venues and shows as wedeliver them.

.... spanning a wide range of topics

UKcoverage......

Use the table below to find the right topic for a specific age group or academic term. Remember thatwe also take commissions of other subjects and deliver bespoke workshops.

Gemma’s IllegalWardrobe substances and Autumn Spring Summer Yr 7 Yr 8 Yr 9 Yr 10 Yr 11 7

self esteem

Einstein’s Pants Energy, theenvironment and Autumn Spring Summer Yr 7 Yr 8 Yr 9 Yr 10 Yr 11 9climate change

Last Orders Alcohol, the law and sexual Autumn Spring Summer Yr 7 Yr 8 Yr 9 Yr 10 Yr 11 5health

Power of Love Healthyrelationships and Autumn Spring Summer Yr 7 Yr 8 Yr 9 Yr 10 Yr 11 8cyber abuse

Skin Deep Healthyrelationships (gangs, Autumn Spring Summer Yr 7 Yr 8 Yr 9 Yr 10 Yr 11 6race and extremism)

Uncle Fred’s Shed Emotional healthand wellbeing Autumn Spring Summer Key Stage 1 and 2 10

Trickster & DistractionScambuster burglary Autumn Spring Summer Mature Audiences 11

and Fraud

Performance Key Themes Scheduled Tours1 Target audience2 Page

1 Other dates may be possible - Tours are often commissioned at other times of the year as well, so ifyou’d like to have a show in a different term from that scheduled please do check with us.

2 The performances are designed to capture the attention of specific age groups but this variesdepending on when the performance is delivered within the academic year, the emotional maturityof the students and sometimes the type of school (for example, single sex or faith based). For thisreason, the age ranges are a guide only and it is best to discuss your audience with us.


Fantastic for pupils to questionpolice and trading standards in asafe environment managed bySolomon staff

Swanmore School

We experienced a 7.8% reduction inalcohol related crime in the 3months following the pilot

Dorset Police

15 year old Cassie andher friend Kim are homealone doing theirhomework. Boredomsoon sets in and, whilethere are many otherthings they could do,they raid the drinkscabinet. ‘Just the one’leads to another andthen a cocktail. It wouldbe a great laugh if theyhad a party and invitedolder boys.

Last Orders

Usually tours in:

Technical: Cast 4 (2 Male, 2 Female), parking for one van, get in 40 minutes, get out 15 minutes, Stage Size 5m X 5m X 3m, one 13A socket.

Schedule: We recommend a theatre performance to an entire year group (from 30 up to 500 pupils)followed by successive workshops to smaller groups (from 30 up to 250 pupils).Performance run 55 minutes / Workshop run 55 minutes (flexible).

Alcohol, health & the law performance & workshop 55 minutes eachYear 9 students

by Mark Hyde © 2000

Dan is that older boy. A motorbike riding 17 yearold, he’s brought ‘homebrew’ to give to thegirls. He’s full of stories set to impress andencourages ‘drinking games’ and the girls movethrough the ‘stages of intoxication’ withoutrealising the potential dangers they are in.

Following the PSHE guide for KS3 (13/14 yearsold), the impact of the performance is built uponby a workshop exploring a range of themessuch as anti-social behaviour, illegal purchase(including the law on alcohol and age-restrictedproducts) and attitude to risk and sexual health(including unplanned pregnancy and STIs). Theworkshop content is adaptable to suit individualschool’s requirements.

Alcohol related crime and health involves manyagencies ranging from Trading Standards(purchase and supply regulation), to Police (ASBand violent crime) and Health professionals(long term health, sexual health and risky sexualbehaviour) which is why Last Orders is oftenpresented alongside representatives from thesepartner agencies.

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SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APRIL MAY JUNE JULY


83% of students said they’d changedtheir views on knife and gang crimefollowing the performance

The Langley Academy, Slough

Engages effectively with pupils,leaving them thinking about theconsequences of their actions

Slough Trading Standards

Based on true events, the play is hard-hittingand immediately connects with its targetaudience through compelling dialogue and rapmusic.

Following the performance, specially designedworkshops explore a variety of KS4 PSHEthemes for year 10 around healthyrelationships. These can be tailored to localpriorities and include the role of myths increating a culture of fear, the reasons for theexistence of gangs and extremist behaviour, theconsequences of carrying knives and the natureof intolerance and prejudice.

Skin Deep is used as part of the National PolicePrevent Agenda enabling young people toexplore extremism and prejudice, to challengethinking and develop understanding. It is oftenco-presented with Police Officers and TradingStandards enforcement staff to explain gangculture (why they form and the consequences)as well as exploring issues surrounding violence(including knife crime and the law).



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Skin DeepGangs, relationships & violence performance & workshop 55 minutes eachYear 10 students

Skin Deep tells the powerfuland moving story of twoteenage girls who are attractedto boys from rival gangs. Asevents unfold, theirrelationships becomeincreasingly threatened byhatred and intimidation.Betrayal, fear and fatalmisunderstanding lead to adramatic explosion of violencethat will change their livesforever.

by Mark Hyde & Angela Gilder © 2010

Usually tours in: SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APRIL MAY JUNE JULY


This is absolutely excellent, a veryimportant production

Inspector David Ayres, Dorset Police.

I have seen in the faces of thestudents that the message isgetting through

Ken Reynolds, Dorset Drugs Advisor.

Multiple charactersplayed by three actorstell the fast moving storyof 14 year old Gemmawho is doing well atschool. She’s got thelead in the school playand is expected to dowell in fast approachingtests; however, there is acloud on the horizon.Pressure.

Gemma’s Wardrobe

Technical: Cast 3 (2 Male, 1 Female), parking for one van, get in 40 minutes, get out 15 minutes, StageSize 5m X 5m X 3m, one 13A socket.


Illegal substances performance & workshop 55 minutes eachYear 8 students

by Forest Paget & Steve Evans © 2002

Gemma may have taken on too much, ormaybe she’s set herself expectations that aretoo high - whatever it is, can she cope? ‘Toocool for school’ Gary has the answer and it’sone that Gemma would never have expectedherself to be tempted by.

The performance and workshops target KS3students before they are faced with the issue ofdrugs, empowering them to overcome peerpressure and make their own choices. Perfectlypitched and based on a true story, studentseasily empathise with the key characters. In avery practical way, they develop self-confidence, awareness and decision makingskills, giving them the very best opportunity tomake their own positive lifestyle choices.

Covering health issues (alcohol, tobacco orcannabis use) as well as the legal facts (use andsupply of illegal substances - class A, B or Cdrugs, and purchase of legal products -tobacco, alcohol, knives and lighters) meansthat Gemma’s Wardrobe is complemented bypresentations from Police and CommunitySafety Teams.

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The impact upon the students wascolossal and we are all impressedby the reality they achieved,provoking conversation and I amsure improving the safety of thosewho watched

Sherborne Learning Centre

Thank you, you delivered anoutstanding morning. I constantlyrefer to the performance in PSHE

Pewsey Vale School


Schedule: We recommend a theatre performance to an entire year group (from 30 up to 500 pupils)followed by successive workshops to smaller groups (from 30 up to 250 pupils). Performance run 55 minutes / Workshop run 55 minutes (flexible).

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Power of LoveHealthy relationships & cyber abuse performance & workshop 55 minutes eachYear 9 & 10 students

Lucy is a regular girl who’sattracted the attention of thebiggest catch in the school. Hernew boyfriend is fit, gorgeousand she’s the envy of all thegirls… but he’s also becomingincreasingly controlling.Jealous of her other friends, hebegins to intimidate herpsychologically and thenviolently.

by Solomon Theatre Company © 2007

The choice is hers, will she stay? This gritty,memorable story explores the changing natureof relationships with family and friends, and thedestructive role that abusive behaviour can playin this. Students explore the different dynamics ofrelationships from the types and balances ofpower (strength), to the different degrees oftrust, as well as what makes things goright/wrong. Following the PSHE guide for KS4,we explore how to handle the portfolio ofrelationships we have and understand the waysin which abuse can occur and where to go forsupport. The influence of new media forms (text,email and social networking) is integral to theworkshop and reviewed annually.The delivery in schools is often supplemented byadditional workshops provided by other agencies(Police Force Violence Reduction units and/orCouncil Community Safety DV teams). ThePower of Love encourages self-esteem, buildson existing Sex and Relationship Education (SRE)and develops the emotional maturity thatstudents may need if they are ever faced withoffensive or bullying behaviour.



Thought-provoking and relevant.Students were spellbound for 60minutes, focused on the story

Woodroffe School

A difficult topic well presented... agood mixture of fun and facts. Wellblended

Stonehenge School

Every cloud has a silverlining and for localpolitician ArthurBrighouse that silverlining is money.Unfortunately for the restof us the cloud is climatechange. Brighouse canalways turn a profit andclimate change offershim uniqueopportunities.

Einstein’s Pants



Climate change & entrepreneurship performance & workshop 55 minutes eachYear 8 students

by Forest Paget & Steve Evans © 2002

Energised by a trip to the local museumexhibiting a pair of Einstein’s pants, Arthur’s sonBarney, sees things differently; rising sea levels,expanding deserts and unstable weatherpatterns means he sets out to change hisfather’s ways.

“Einstein’s Pants” invites year 8 students toconsider a range of issues relating to energysuch as, the carbon cycle, climate change,taking responsibility, and the environmental/financial benefits of a ‘greener team’ approach.Encouraging students to think about how to actas Global Citizens, Einstein’s Pants will changeattitudes and behaviours and inform decisionsand actions, building maturity and leadershipskills.

Used to support Sustainable School and EcoSchool status, Einstein’s Pants has assistedcouncils and schools reduce their utility bills andcarbon output.

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It soon becomes clear to Uncle Fred that aswell as pressure from school mates, Maisie isstruggling with making sensible choices for herwell being.

Designed for KS1 and 2 students we explore

topics to fit in with the Healthy Schools Plus

programme:

1. Healthy Living - healthy weight, nutrition,physical activity and family activities

2. Emotional Health & Wellbeing - positiveself esteem, making correct choices,bullying and positive behaviour

3. Sex and relationship education - buildingfoundations by looking at relationship types,authority roles, trust and communication.


Schedule: We recommend a theatre performance to an entire Key Stage(s) group followed by threeparallel workshops to smaller groups. Performance run 40 minutes / Workshop run 40 minutes (flexible).

Uncle Fred’s Shed

Set in a shed on an allotment,Maisie visits with the school’spet rabbit. The rabbit is unwelland Maisie, under pressurefrom her class to look after therabbit, considers ways ofrestoring its health.Fortunately, Uncle Fred returnsbefore Maisie has the chance toadminister any of her homemade medicines.

by Solomon Theatre Company © 2008

Substance abuse & healthy relationships performance & workshop 40 minutes eachKey Stage 1 & 2


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You touched the hearts of 800people … we were also able toattract a significant amount of mediacoverage

Northamptonshire Police

Within 4 hours of the morningperformance, there had been 30calls to the Police reportingincidents and this led to 10investigations taking place

Communications Manager, Dorset Police

Trickster: Based on trueevents, in this live story-telling musical, George is anelderly gentleman who hasbecome the victim of adistraction burglar. Once aproud soldier, we followGeorge as he battles withbeing conned and with thehelp of his friend Sid, beatsthe bogus callers.Whether it’s rogue salesmen, fake reps fromthe water-board or surveyors from the localcouncil, bogus callers come in many guises.Our educational and entertaining musical“Trickster” successfully combats thesecriminals by raising awareness, reducing fearand empowering elderly community membersto report these crimes.

Trickster & Scambuster

Technical: Cast 3 (2 Male, 1 Female), parking for one van, get in 40 minutes, get out 25 minutes, Stage Size; 5m X 5m X 3m, one 13A socket.

Schedule: We recommend two performances per day (typically 10:30 and 14:30)Performance run 55 minutes - two shows daily (the same show or one of each)

Burglary & Fraud performance & workshop 55 minutes eachMature audiences

Trickster by Andy Saunders © 2001 adapted by Mark Hyde and Tim Laycock © 2003Scambuster by Mark Hyde, Angela Gilder and Tim Laycock © 2004

Scambuster: MeetSydney, the victim of a rogue tarmactradesman andMary, who thinksshe’s won theholiday of a lifetime… Withmusic from the 60’s, thisenergetic, live story-tellingevent is guaranteed toentertain, amuse and educate.

Fake lotteries, psychic mailings, fake holidayprizes, premium-rate promotions – these are allexamples of scams highlighted by“Scambuster”. Developed in partnership withTrading Standards, “Scambuster” highlightsunscrupulous traders offering their services forbadly done and over-priced work, encouragesbetter reporting of scams and suggestseffective strategies for response.


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Solomon Associates (UK) Ltd

High Street, Damerham, Hampshire, SP6 3EUT: 01725 518760 E: [email protected]

www.solomon-theatre.co.uk

Contributing toconferences, devisingnew pieces andproducing film

The power of live theatre at conferences(national or regional) adds impact andinterest that engages delegates giving theman informative and enjoyable experience.

Solomon teams have performed in nationalevents at The GMEX Manchester Central, TheBournemouth International Centre, TheBrighton Centre & The Ministry of SoundLondon.

All the theatre shows have been used tosupport local conference events, the mostpopular “Last Orders” has toured toconferences in Essex, Cambridge, Wiltshire,Cornwall, Dorset & Oxford.

Often a request for a bespoke theatre showor workshop will be something we havealready done so developing a piece can drawon this valuable experience. Where thesubject is completely new to us, harnessingthe creative energies of our team isparticularly rewarding and not only producessuccessful collaborations but often results inregular annual tours.

Films for broadcast, the web or DVD haveunique qualities that can further support andenhance the learning by theatre andworkshop. We’ve gained valuable experiencein producing combined theatre-film resourcesas well as stand alone films throughcommissions from The Office of Fair Tradingand Police Forces.

National Conferences

Bespoke Projects

Film Production


solomon theatre company programme 2011/12

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