Chatroom to tour the county
Drama students from a Leamington school will begin a tour of the county’s secondary schools next week with a thought-provoking play about cyber-bullying.
Trinity Catholic School’s Theatre Company will be performing their interpretation of ‘Chatroom’, a play by Enda Walsh, at nine Warwickshire schools throughout the tour which runs from 23 June until 1 July.
The play connects with issues commonly faced by young people. It explores the relationship of six teenagers brought together in internet chatrooms and their understanding of, and response to, issues of bullying, depression and thoughts of suicide.
Aimed at school staff and parents as well as pupils it also serves as a powerful reminder to adults about how exposed young people using the internet may be and raises further concerns about web safety.
‘Chatroom’ was originally performed at the Guys Cliffe Road school to an audience of staff, parents and local authority colleagues. Feedback was so positive that the school enlisted Arts in Warwickshire Education (AWE) to help bring the play to a wider audience and the idea for the tour was born.
The play is directed by Alexandra Green, Head of Drama at Trinity School who has been working with the six student performers aged 14-16 who make up the cast.
With a series of monologues and almost no interaction between the performers Ms Green anticipated it would be a challenge to perform but was really pleased with how the students embraced their characters, saying: “The professionalism of the cast has been amazing and every one of them has done a great job of bringing their characters to life.
“The play has already been well received and it has been so lovely to get such positive recognition from the wider community. We’re looking forward to the tour and I am grateful to AWE for organising it as it will offer the students some valuable experience.”
Working with the county’s Anti-Bullying Partnership, a pack of support materials will be provided to schools to use with their students following the performances.
Rachel Evans, County Anti-bullying Co-ordinator said: “The Trinity pupils’ performance of ‘Chatroom’ illustrates just how damaging cyber-bullying can be and highlights the isolation felt by many young people who communicate online with their peers.
“We put together the lesson support packs to enable schools to further explore these issues. Cyber-bullying will be the theme for this year’s Anti-bullying Week in November, and the packs will be a useful resource.”
John Haggett, AWE Director added: “I am proud to be able to support this project which sensitively portrays how dangerous chatrooms can be to vulnerable young people. ‘It is a bonus that we are able to use the talents of Warwickshire young people to convey these messages.”