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Here is a bit of an introduction to us and the work we will be doing at the Japan 2001 Workshop in July...
You will be working with two leaders - Jonathan Hall and Helen Renwick. Jonathan Hall is one of the UK's leading playwrights. He has worked on many award winning science based dramas which have toured the UK. He has also had his plays performed in London's West End and a number of televised drama projects. In addition to this he works as a teacher in Yorkshire. He is very much looking forward to the week and sharing his skills with you.
Helen Renwick, who prefers to be known as Ren is Education Director of Y Touring Theatre Company. Y Touring is a national touring theatre company whose plays often have a science base to them. Each production tours nationally with an interactive debate and is featured on the exciting new Y Touring website. Ren has also toured schools holding drama workshops. She is very excited about the week which looks to be a great experience for all.
We have devised a special project for the Workshop. It is challenging and will be hard work but should also be hugely rewarding and valuable. Japanese participants should not be too worried about English, because there are many other ways of conveying meaning than through words.
During the week you will reflect the way professionals work in developing plays which demand that the audience ask questions. We have chosen to look at developing a short play presenting the Risk involved in GM Food - is it right that we should be taking science this far?
You will explore how to present complicated ideas to the audience and how to make the audience think. You will learn practical skills on playwriting and acting as well as improvisation, directing and devising skills. By the end of the week you will be able to present a 15 minute drama which will challenge and entertain the audience.
We would very much like you to read papers on risk and GM food. This will give you an introduction to the subject and should also start you thinking!
If possible, it would be great if you could read some of the following books. They all deal with science and show how it can be incorporated into drama.
| The Memory of Water | by Shelagh Stevenson |
| Copenhagen | by Michael Frayn |
| Blue/orange | by Joe Penhall |
| Experiment with an Air Pump | by Shelagh Stevenson |
If you can, try and watch the film Gattaca (1997).
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