Politics | The Tron Theatre

By Bertolt Brecht
Directed by Morven Gregor
Presented by Birds of Paradise in Association with Paisley Arts Centre
From Wednesday 30th March – Saturday 2nd April 7.45pm at the Tron Theatre

‘Trouble with peace is, it’s got no system to it. No methodology. What’s the point of your arguments if they’re lying

Resized Birds of Paradise Theatre Company. Alison Peebles (Mother Courage). Photo by Eamonn McGoldrick — Alison Peebles (Mother Courage). Photo by Eamonn McGoldrick

around not doing any good? I’ve been in places they hadn’t had a decent war for seventy years. Seventy years. You’ll never guess.
People didn’t have IDs. They weren’t even on a national filing system!’

Mother Courage is one of the twentieth century’s classic plays. Although it is clearly political, it also reverberates with humour and humanity. The character Mother Courage is one of the great modern female roles, a woman defined by and surviving through constant conflict.

Performed by an inclusive cast, Mother Courage will feature sign language and projected text. Birds of Paradise’s Mother Courage will be a contemporary, visually engaging, humorous and sympathetic production which will leave audiences considering the central character’s every word and deed.

Birds of Paradise have a strong track record of delivering outreach activities alongside their national touring productions. Pupils will enjoy seeing a production, which as well as being a classic, also reflects the world around them today. Workshops will introduce them to some Brechtian techniques and examine the methods for creating performances around topical issues.

This production also provides students with the opportunity to explore a disabled character (Kattrin) in an established text. On one hand the play seems to portray the disabled Kattrin as a victim, helpless without her mother’s protection, but beyond that we see a young woman, marginalised by others, but able to act with volition and determination; the instigator of the final tragic action of the play. Casting a disabled performer in this role will embody these questions, allowing students to find their own answers.

Workshops available for Standard Grade, Higher and Advanced Higher.
All performances are subtitles and audio description support will be provided.

For further information or to book workshops please contact Emma Macleod on 0141 339 1155 or email all@birdsofparadisetheatre.co.uk

Tickets (£7-£15) available from the Tron Box Office on 0141 552 4267

By Gegory Burke
Directed By Michael Emans
Tuesday 22nd – Saturday 26th March at the Tron Theatre

Gagarin Way was the breakthrough play from the writer of the acclaimed Black Watch and has been produced all over the world. A pair of Fife factory workers kidnap their visiting boss to make a point … but what exactly is their point? And do they all have the same agenda?

Rapture Theatre will offer a full pre-show workshop (running approx 2 hours) followed by tickets to the evening performance of Gagarin Way at the Tron.

Written in strong Scottish dialect with a fast-paced, filmic storyline, Gagarin Way is a funny, exciting way of engaging older students (aged 14+) in political and ethical themes. The show resonates clearly with current news stories and debates, particularly those of ethics in big business, globalisation, corporate responsibility and unemployment. By putting these major global issues in a local, recognisable context the show will provide a perfect catalyst for discussions covering many aspects of the Cirriculum for Excellence, especially ‘developing knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland’s place in it’ and ‘applying critical thinking in new context’.

The workshop will be lead by Rapture Theatre Artistic Director Michel Emans and will be suitable for ages 14+.

For further information on Gagarin Way or to book workshops please contact Ruth Marsh on 07824 468 396 or email ruth_marsh@yahoo.co.uk

Tickets (£7-£9) are available from the Tron Box Office on 0141 552 4267

http://www.tron.co.uk/event/gagarin_way/