Theatre for children is experiencing an unprecedented success. Lyn Gardner, the Guardian theatre critic, regularly argues that the innovative performance styles of theatre companies such as Oily Cart and Theatre-rites work pushes the boundaries of contemporary theatre. The Unicorn Theatre, the first purpose-built theatre for children in London, is flourishing on the South Bank, and Theatre Hullabaloo have recently opened a new theatre for Children in Darlington. Playwrights such as Charles Way, Philip Ridley, Neil Duffield, Mark Ravenhill and David Greig regularly write plays for young people. Theatre-makers such as Mark Storor, Sue Buckmaster and Fevered Sleep bring a blend of visual art, puppetry and live art to performances for children.  Despite an energetic theatre culture for young people, there has been very little research on this aspect of theatre studies.

This project asks you to find imaginative and inventive ways to engage children in a theatrical experience, which challenges, excites and entertains. During the project you will visit a local school to research what ignites the imaginations of children aged 3- 6 years. You are asked to research the work of theatre makers producing work for this age group and use it as stimulus and inspiration to devise your own performances. What elements of performance are needed to engage children’s imagination? How might theories of childhood play be translated and transformed into dramatic practice? How can space, design and performance techniques be used to capture young children’s imaginations? Are there topics that we should avoid when creating work for children? The project will culminate with the children coming to visit us at the university for a performance.

The course has two strands. You will work independently as researchers towards a 4000 word essay and the readings and class discussion will support this. You will work in groups to create a performance for a group of children. . This course asks you to work as reflective practitioners weaving theory into practice and using your practical work to inspire your research.