Students explore the dark side of poetry
Pupils and the local community will be getting in on the act when they join renowned poet and DJ Charlie Dark for a lyrical lesson at Ash Green School and Performing Arts College next week.
Well known for his innovative style, Charlie will set his show ‘School of Dark’ in a specially built classroom within the school’s community theatre. Graduates from the School of Dark will share school stories with Charlie before leaving with a notebook and pen so they can go away and continue writing.
The School of Dark project has been organised by Warwickshire County Council’s ‘Arts in Warwickshire Education’ team and Warwick Arts Centre as part of their commitment to increasing participation in the arts and raising levels of educational attainment. As a school with performing arts status, Ash Green was selected to host the festival, and seven schools from the Nuneaton and Bedworth area will be visiting throughout the week.
Headteacher Graham Tyrer said: “Our specialist status reflects our commitment to the arts and we are delighted to be involved in this exciting project. Not only will the poetry project benefit students from Ash Green but we are also giving the local community and a number of other schools greater access to the arts.”
John Haggett from Arts in Warwickshire Education, which is part of the County Council, said: ”This initiative is all about a totally different approach to learning and pupils will undoubtedly enjoy Charlie’s unconventional yet brilliant performances. Engagement with the arts can help raise aspirations and unlock talent - we can’t wait to see the results.”
Two special community performances will be staged on Saturday 19 January at 11am and 2pm. Tickets will be £2.00 each but there are limited places at each performance. Bookings can be made through Warwick Arts Centre Box Office on 02476 524524.
School of Dark is an Apples and Snakes production. Since its creation in 1982, Apples and Snakes has inspired over 60,000 young people through workshops and reached over four million audience members in theatres, galleries, schools and prisons.