Class Act Online
Traverse’s annual schools script project goes online
Seventeen short scripts, created by the student participants of the Class Act 2020 programme, have been used to create short films and will be available online from the Traverse 3 website.
The scripts will be broadcast in a pair of digital premieres on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 May 2021 at 7.30pm. They will subsequently be available to watch on demand for three weeks until June 2.
I’m A Celeb. Film still from Class Act 2020 digital performances
Pieces written by students from Boroughmuir High School and Broughton High School will premiere on Wednesday 12 May. Pieces from Craigroyston Community High School and Royal High School will go online the following day, Thursday 13 May.
The 17 scripts were posted on billboard sites around Edinburgh over the Easter break, taking theatre out onto the streets (see our news story Street Acts).
Commenting on the new films, Wezi Mhura and Robbie Gordon, the Traverse’s creative development producers, said: “Not even a global pandemic has been able to suppress the incredible creativity of the young people we’ve had the privilege to work with throughout Class Act’s 2020 programme.
bombastic and thought-provoking
“We were delighted to be able to bring these scripts to streets across Edinburgh City Centre last month as a taste of what was to come, and now we’re even more thrilled to be able to share these bombastic and thought-provoking pieces online, brought to life by an incredibly enthusiastic cast in some well-loved locations.
“The imagination and creativity of all the participants deserves a wide audience, who will be enriched by their unique take on the world around us, and everything that’s happening within it – and we couldn’t be more pleased that people around the world will have the chance to experience these performances for the first time.”
Boring Sunday. Film still from Class Act 2020 digital performances
Class Act, which will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary later this year with its 2021 intake, allows secondary school pupils to work with established playwrights to create short scripts which, in a non-pandemic year, would be performed script-in-hand at the Traverse.
The Traverse says that besides providing creative support, the initiative: “offers a safe space for participants to write about whatever may be affecting them, or they feel passionately about, and encourages free expression and uninhibited creation.
“The result is a range of short scripts bursting with energy, featuring many unusual and amusing situations and vivid characters (some of whom you may recognise!).
“Covering a multitude of subjects – from mental health to current politics, killers on the run to reality TV, and everything in between – these pieces are a true, honest and insightful reflection of the concerns and excitements of Scotland’s young people.”
Listings
Class Act 2020: Showcase
Wed 12 and Thu 13 May @ 7.30PM – premieres
Available to watch on demand until Wed 2 June
Free, but ticketed
Traverse 3 (our online venue)
Book at: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/class-act-showcase-performances
Premiering on Wednesday 13 May at 7.30pm:
Plays by Boroughmuir High School students:
The Desolation of Joris; Milo the Wanderer; Kick The Bucket List; Dinosaurs in Love and Reunion.
Plays by Broughton High School students:
Daddy’s Gone; The Writers andA Boring Sunday.
Premiering on Tuesday 14 May at 7.30pm:
Plays by Royal High School students:
The Camp; I Hope and I Fear; Haunted House and Stephen and the Bully.
Plays by Craigroyston Community High School students:
The Bodybuilder and the Policeman; Zombie; No one wants to Look Like Me; Murder Mystery andI’m A Celeb Gone Wrong.
Dinosaurs in Love. Film still from Class Act 2020 digital performances
Class Act 2020 engaged with over 70 professional freelance artists to bring the productions to the online platform.
Casting for these performances includes: Rebekah Lumsden, Cristian Ortega, Shyvone Ahmmad, Martin Donaghy, Aidan Kerr, Rebecca Elsie, Fiona McNeill, Éimi Quinn, Lydia White, Oat Jenner, Angus Taylor, Hannah Visocchi, Caleb Hughes, Steven Rae, Lucy Greenway, Gary Robson, Davy Kirkwood, Rebecca Robin, Saskia Ashdown, Jack Stewart, Grayson Pender, Tara McGirr, Millie Innes, Lucianne McEvoy, Pete Collins, Petre Dobre, Amy Helena, Craig McCulloch, Ali Kerr, Ben Taylor Muir, Tiger Mitchell and Hannah Low.
ENDS
