Press releases

Great art is for all ages

It is that time of year when many adults will be enjoying children’s theatre just as much as the children do. But for Year 4 and 5 students from Jenny Hammond Primary School in Waltham Forest, it was the other way round.

60 pupils, aged between 8-10, were treated to three performances of ‘daring, arresting and physical theatre, all a long way from the ground’ (Time Out Magazine) by Ockham’s Razor at Stratford Circus. This triple bill was not originally designed for children, but Stratford Circus takes a pro-active approach to audience development and contacted the company to establish the suitability of the performance content for a younger audience.

Clare Connor, Cultural Development Manager at Stratford Circus said: ‘it is important that great art is also accessible to children. We worked with Ockham’s Razor to host a pre-show talk to clarify aspects that might be challenging and to empower them as audience members.

‘The children benefited greatly from the introduction to the performance and were completely engaged by the artistry, skill and spectacle. After the show, I wrote to the headteacher to comment on how well the children had responded and also let her know what ambassadors they had been for the school.’

Stratford Circus subsequently received thank you letters from the pupils who attended the performance. Here are some extracts of the pupils' reactions to the performances:

Shauna, a year 4 pupil wrote (letter pictured):
'Thank you and the performers for building up a great act. I am really grateful for you inviting year 4.’

Roni, aged 8 wrote:
'You must mention to the performers how extraordinary the show was! I felt really scared when the bar broke it looked like they were going to die. But I had to stay together, I could see that everyone else was, so I did. It was out of this world. Thumbs up to the performers.’

Nella, aged 8 said:
'That minute when the lights were off I felt I was the only person there. When a little bit of light came on, there were two girls and one boy lying on the raft. I was scared because I thought they were dead.’

While Maxwell, also aged 8 wrote:
'...the show was brilliant I thought it really connected with the crowd.’

All the staff at Stratford Circus commented on how brilliant the pupils were, in particular their mature behaviour, their respect for the performance and how they showed their appreciation of the work.

Clare Connor also said: ‘after the show I spoke to one of the aerialists; who told me how much she enjoyed performing both because of the audience reactions and how readily they expressed their intrigue and enjoyment. We are delighted that Jenny Hammond Primary School came along to this performance, and that the pupils rose to the challenge of the work.’

Both Stratford Circus and Ockham’s Razor receive Arts Council regular funding. In 2008/09, Stratford Circus will receive £40,000 and Ockham’s Razor will receive £60,000.