Tue 15 October 1.30pm & 7pm | Theatre

PropellerPocket MerchantShakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice Pocket-size‘This production is spot on in every way ‘ The Guardian (2009 production)Under the direction of Edward Hall, Propeller is an international all-male theatre company best known for its ability to bring Shakespeare’s texts to vivid life with productions full of clarity, poetry, speed and imagination.

This year they have created Pocket Merchant, a pocket-sized version of their critically acclaimed 2009 production of The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare’s uncompromising tale of greed and revenge.

After the performance, young audiences will be invited into a performance space where the actors will encourage them to express their response to the work in the freest possible way. The actors will invite questions and feedback from the audience in an open and engaging dialogue.

Pocket Merchant supports teaching from Key Stage Three right through to A-Level, and an Education Pack exploring the production in greater detail is also available free online to download from Propeller’s website www.propeller.org.uk.

There will also be an interactive digital platform available for students to explore the production in more depth. An example of which can be found at http://propeller.org.uk/play

Suitable for 11 year plus. Running time 1 hour, plus a 40 minute talkback.Schools: £8

Wed 30 October 7.45pm | Studio

Uncanny TheatreInstructions for a Better LifeAn absurd comedy about serious things.This is all about us, everyone that is, thinking that something is true when it isn’t. It’s a true story. It’s a look at what people believe without question and an attempt to unpick the oddity of what we think we think. Part thriller, part comedic romp through human psychology, Uncanny Theatre stretch logic to breaking point in a show that’s visually arresting and absurdly funny in all its low-tech glory.Students: £12

education

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Education Pack

newsletter

A group of hi-rise city workers climb the career ladder, slide on the slippery slope of success, engage in an office romance and fight to make a killing before they get the push.

The Urban Playground Team is the original and premiere Performance – Parkour company bringing together urban and contemporary dance theatre with authentic French parkour, the unique electronica of Chris Umney and the stunning cinematography of Sacha Powell.

Their work includes performing in theatres and on the streets, in moving buses and trains, on the roofs of buildings, the top of vans and countless scaffold towers. Their work has been seen throughout the world.Tickets: £8.50

Limited Free Performance-Parkour Workshops:The UPG Team coined the phrase ‘performance-parkour’ or ‘2PK’ to describe the use of parkour in a performance setting. Their own brand draws on elements of physical theatre, slapstick comedy, b-boying (breakdance), contemporary dance, capoeira and partner dances to produce choreographies of dynamic, explosive, and often very funny movement.

In these workshops participants will be introduced to the fundamental principles of 2PK; explore new ways of moving and create their own sequences of choreography. The workshops will include an insight into the making of RUN THIS TOWN and using 2PK to tell simple stories.

Participants: Aged 11 - 18, max 24 per workshop, dressed for movement, access to drinking water.

Workshops: Duration 90 minutes, school gym with vaulting horses, mats etc

Leaders: Co-Directors of UPG Team Miranda Henderson & Alister O’Loughlin. DBS, First Aid. (Currently studying DDTAL at Laban which includes QTLS equivalency), Kurt Jobling, performer/workshop assistant, DBS certificate.

Please contact Liz Hart on 01293 438156 or email liz.hart@crawley.gov.uk to find out more or to book a workshop.

Wed 12 February 7.30pm | Theatre

The Urban PlaygroundRun This Town

Who runs this town? The highest office gives the best view of all but it’s a long way from the street and the quickest way is to fall…

Box Office: 01293 553636Online: www.hawth.co.uk

Uncanny Theatre WorkshopsOption 1: Exploring visual storytellingAn introduction to the kinds of visual techniques using shadows and overhead projectors used in the show. The Company will work with groups to generate quick comedic stories.

Option 2: Devising with comedy.An introduction to clowning techniques, exploring devising through improvisation and the techniques used in the show.Workshops cost £200, last 90 minutes and are suitable for 16 years and over with a maximum group size of 25.Contact Natalie Bellingham on 07960 338 186 or email natalie@uncannytheatre.co.uk

Wed 13 November 7.30pm | Theatre

Hip Hop Shakespeare CompanyHip Hop Shakespeare LiveAn innovative live show prouced by Mobo award winning hip hop artist Akala alongside THSC’s Artist Associates, Peer Leaders and live band, featuring special guest artists.The gig explores the social, cultural and linguistic parallels between the works of Shakespeare and modern day hip hop through the fusion of live music, spoken word theatre and creative performance.Students: £8.50

Limited Free Half Day Lyric-writing and Performance WorkshopsThe workshops aim to introduce students to a new way of looking at Shakespeare by encouraging them to challenge and discuss their preconceptions about both Shakespeare and Hip-hop; discover something new about both and express themshelves by showcasing their creative ideas to fellow participants and at the live show at The Hawth.

These popular and energetic workshops take students through a series of interactive exercises so that they are enabled, encouraged and inspired to write and perform a Shakespearean inspired rap, poem or song at the end of the workshop. The workshop offers students the opportunity of self-reflection, taking creative risks, self confidence and all designed to develop the tools to share and express their own experiences through creative writingWorkshops are suitable for 11 to 18 years old and are currently available on either Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 November with participation in performance at The Hawth on 13 November. Contact Liz Hart on 01293 438156 or email liz.hart@crawley.gov.uk to find out more or to book a workshop.A Going Global Arts Development event supported by Arts Council England

Tue 26 November 7.45 | Studio

Amina Khayyam Dance Company with ZerocultureYermaA Kathak adaptation of a Federico Garcia Lorca’s play.

The anguishing story of Yerma, is of a women who suffers heart breaking social torment of a childless marriage that forces her to commit a horrific and irrevocable act. Lorca’s savage yet poetical lyrical play set in rural patriarchal and religiously repressive Spain is transposed to an inner city British community.Students £8.50

Workshops Led by the cast of the production the workshops will give young people an innovative introduction to Kathak dance and how dance can be used explore, express and engage in contemporary social issues.

Pupils will have the opportunity to creatively discuss the themes emerging in the play through dance and performance. They will have an opportunity to explore the dilemmas of each character, drawing from their own experiences and ideas of community, family and the roles of men and women in society: what changes have been made since the time of Yerma? What practices and perceptions still exist in our communities today?

For drama, dance and literature students it will be an opportunity to explore how a poetic text can be translated through the language of dance. Pupils will be given an introduction to Kathak, a classical dance from the north of India, which uses Mudras (hand gestures) and facial expressions to express emotion and narrative. They will also look at how this classical text and dance form can both be translated into a contemporary performance that resonates with communities today.

Within the performance at The Hawth students will experience how a cross section of culturally diverse art forms (such as Opera and Orchestral music) can be brought together to bring the text to life, reflect the diversity of people and places existing in Britain’s communities.

Each pre-performance workshop will half a day (2 hours) and led by one dancer and musician. We will work with you to plan the workshop so that it meets your curriculum learning outcomes.

To book a workshop or for more information please contact Shehnoor@googlemailcom or phone 07979 816311A Going Global Arts Development event supported by Arts Council England