MOATfest and the Suitcase Kid

What a fortnight of MOATfest theatre workshops, student and professional performances, music and comedy! Year 9 GCSE drama students enjoyed a playwriting workshop with Billie Collins, who in her own words 'likes stuff about growing up, queerness, family, nature and folklore.' Year 7 CLSG and CLS students joined forces with professional actors to perform 'Helen', a play about Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut. Year 8 students enjoyed a directing theatre workshop with director Tabi Wells, and year 10 and 12 drama and music students wrote their own musical theatre songs with Bristol based theatre company, Sharp Teeth. Spilt Ink theatre introduced our students to Le Coq and Gaulier clowning, and Little Soldier theatre company gave tips on devising theatre. Year 7 performed 'The Suitcase Kid' by Jaqueline Wilson, with two casts performing on alternate evenings. Comedy followed with stand-ups Suzi Ruffell, Rhys James and Tim Key headlining. The comedy, theatre, music, beautiful Barbican location and weather were all factors coalescing to create something of great warmth and joy for our community.