News

Real McKoi Creates a stir!

The Real McKoi is now cast and goes into rehearsal the last week of October.

It has a fine young group of actors (see photo) and will go round the schools the first two weeks in November. Bookings are already coming in fast and considerable press coverage is helping even further.

So far details of the project have been featured on Real Radio, Metro Radio and Radio Newcastle.

The radio pieces have included interviews with some of the pupils from Excelsior Academy in Newcastle who took part in the drama workshops which provided background to the play and help to give it — particularly its language —  its authenticity.

Callum Beadle-Taylor, 16 (happily a keen student with excellent attendance records !)  said about his participation in the project, ‘It's great to know that our opinions are being listened to. A play can really open people's eyes and may make them think in a different way.’ 

Said Natalie Morton, also 16, and another workshop participant, ‘It feels like our opinions count and that we're being noticed. The script writers really wanted to know what we thought.’

‘A play tackles truanting differently,’ according to Professor Paul Younger, Newcastle University's Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) who commissioned The Real McKoi. ‘ Instead of saying kids do this or that, it talks to us in a different way and explains how we feel.’

Professor Younger is delighted with The Real McKoi calling it ‘very entertaining and thought-provoking.’ 

‘One of the biggest problems facing our region is that our teenagers have the lowest rates of take-up of higher education in the country,’ he said.’  Drama can go straight to the heart of the reasons behind this and that is why we called on the talents of Operating Theatre.’

The play is being co-funded by Newcastle University and Newcastle City Council through its Aimhigher project. The play is booking for Monday November 2 - Friday November 6 inclusive and Monday November 9 - Friday November 13 inclusive.

Most performance slots are now taken but a couple are left and there is a still a chance to book.

Anyone interested in having the play staged at their school — which is free and only requires a space such as a school hall — should contact Carol Clewlow on 0191 252 9713 or carol.clewlow@scribbling.demon.co.uk