Archive
Hitting Home
Hitting Home is a play adapted from Andrea Ashworth's autobiography 'Once in a House on Fire' and explores thie issue of domestic violence and the impact it has on children and young people.
Hitting Home originally toured to schools in 2001 and again in 2002, at that time Futures were one of the few charities dealing with domestic violence from the perspective of a child. Angela Ashworth gave us the rights to turn her story into a play and this was achieved through a ten-week development period with Willowfield Special Needs School for boys. The boys were inspired by Andrea’s life and created moving poetry that reflected their own circumstances and was used in the final production.
Hitting Home toured nationally to theatre venues in Summer 2008. This redeveloped version incorporated live and recorded music, choreography and physical theatre, audience response to the play was overwhelming. Futures continue to offer schools a shortened version of the play supported by interactive workshops exploring domestic violence and safer relationships.
"This was the most powerful and moving play for schools that I have ever seen" Teacher, Hitting Home 2008
"I found the play extremely moving and despite the fact that I have worked in the field of violence against women for nearly 25 years it still reduced me to tears..." Domestic Violence Frontline Worker, Hitting Home 2008
Click here to view a clip from the production.
Fear to Bully
Fear To Bully tells the story of Jules, a happy and confident young girl whose life is destroyed by bullying when she starts a new school.
Using forum theatre techniques the production, which fused dance, physical theatre, words and music (both live and recorded), allowed young people to get invloved as actors and directors to change the course of action. It proved immensely successful in allowing young people to 'rehearse for life' in a creative and safe environment, equipping young people with the skills and confidence neeeded to deal with bullying.
Following a sell-out schools tour in 2005, the creative team behind Fear to Bully reformed to further develop this powerful anti-bullying play which then toured in 2006 to schools and also venues across the UK to great success. In 2008 Futures toured to London schools with a new shortened version of Fear to Bully which was received very well and toured again in autumn 2009.
Click here for a clip from the 2005 production.
Race to Change Face
Futures’ resident writer, artisitc director, movement director and composer collaborated to create a piece of theatre exploring the impact of racism within the many cultural facets that now make up Britain’s major cities.
The play was a creative departure for Futures, combining mask work, movement and text to tell the story of young love struggling to survive the impact of their own cultural backgrounds and the prejudices of their local community.
The production successfully toured for 6 weeks to 30 schools and was supported by a forum workshop session allowing the young people to explore the issues raised by the play and interact with the professional performers.
Mind your Head
Mind Your Head follows the story of three young people who each live with a mental illness, but are at different stages of acceptance, surviving, coping and recovery. As Rhonda is bullied and slips into depression, Issy has yet to accept that she has a problem with bulimia, and Ben lives with the schizophrenia he has learnt to control. Young people are given the chance to see different perspectives, and the characters’ relationships both reveal ways of dealing with illnesses and show long term positive outcomes.
The hour long performances were combined with workshops lead by the cast, giving the young people an invaluable opportunity to express their opinions, and expand their education through drama.