BREAK THE SILENCE

Young People

BREAK THE SILENCE
devised by the company

New Vic Theatre Borderlines. Touring to 2 November 2001
Runs 1hr No interval

School performances only

Review Timothy Ramsden 19 October at St Margaret's Ward High School, Tunstall

A contribution to the problem of Bullying using a mix of theatrical techniques.Newcastle-under-Lyme's New Vic Theatre is one of several regional houses to have been redefining the role of the repertory theatre. Artistic Director Gwenda Hughes has developed the Borderlines programme as a major feature of the theatre's work, relating to non-theatregoers, with a focus on young people.

This latest project has culminated in this play about bullying for Year 7 pupils (aged 11-12). Its twin messages are to the bullied - to speak out - and to bystanders, to tell the bully to stop. They were identified through workshops with young people in the schools to which Sue Moffat's production is now touring.

Bullying is a threat in all schools, and a reality in almost all. There's plenty of it in the play, in its arm-wrenching, name-calling, trick-playing, rumour-spreading forms, shown with the consequences of fear, loss of confidence, demotivation and isolation.

How bullying begins is more sketchily handled, its origins lodged with parents across the social range. There are no sympathetic adults; even the voice-over teacher comes close in impact to a bully. Two questions are unanswered: does everyone with an aggressive or dismissive father (is it always the male parent?) becomes a bully, and why are certain people selected as victims?

Stylistically, the play varies its mainly realistic thrust, about a male and a female bully and their victims in a school setting, with spoken thoughts and, latterly, enough directly stated messages to have turned in a handsome profit for Western Union. These non-realistic scenes are lit in red, with mood-enhancing sound. And the production is framed tellingly by two gestures, an arm raised as if to strike, and one extended in friendship.

Well played by its cast of four, Break the Silence offers recognisable images and situations and avoids indulging in violence. Crucially, it ensures we see the bullies first as people with their own problems, not an evil breed apart.

2001-10-22 13:58:57