Gornal News & Goings On

NEWS

School drama group chosen for prestige play - 24th/25th March Talented youngsters at a Lower Gornal School are celebrating after being selected to premiere a play by one of the UK's most well known contemporary writers as part of The Shell Connections programme. Members of The Guilders Club at Ellowes Hall School are preparing to stage Totally Over You, by Mark Ravenhill. The actors, who meet twice a week and are all aged between 11 and 15, have to cope with the added pressure of being assessed by an assessor with 38 years experience in theatre, television and radio. The Shell Connections Programme is a partnership between Shell, the National Theatre, 13 regional theatres, Faber and Faber and Central School of Speech and Drama. It is the world's largest celebration of youth theatre. Writers are challenged to produce a powerful hour-long play for young people between the ages of 11 and 19. confronting issues that are relevant to young people, such as celebrity obsession and terrorism. Ginni Robbins, drama teacher, said "the students have worked really hard on this play and are looking forward to seeing what audiences think of their efforts. They are especially excited about being assessed on the first night because there is a chance of performing the play in July on stage at the National Theatre in London." Headteacher Steve Byatt commented "We have recently upgraded our expressive arts facilities and I am impressed with what our staff and students are achieving. We are all very pleased to get this opportunity to show everyone how talented our youngsters are. The whole school is very proud." Totally Over You is a wry look at the folly of celebrity, and will be premiered by Guilders at Ellowes Hall Theatre on 24th and 25th March 2003 starting at 7:30pm. Tickets cost £3 and the performance will be followed by three dance acts, including a GCSE group. To book tickets, phone Ellowes Hall School on 01384 817915.

Next: Gornal goes global..