News
Toast - a play addressing firework misuse
29 Oct 2008
?TOAST?: A Fireworks Play for Schools
The misuse of fireworks and related anti-social behaviour, notably involving children under the legal age of purchase, 18 years, is an annual problem in many parts of Edinburgh. Each year, Services for Communities and Lothian & Borders Police receive many complaints from residents and Councillors. Elderly people, the very young and pets are often left particularly distressed by firework noise in the weeks leading up to 5th November. A survey carried out by Trading Standards Officers and using 16 year old ?buyers? of fireworks, revealed that half of all traders surveyed were selling fireworks to under age customers.
?TOAST? is a short, powerful play, involving two actors playing 11 different characters with no props or stage. The scenes shift between a hospital, a home and a housing estate, where the actors build up a series of family and school relationships. The main character is drawn into an escapade with stolen fireworks, which goes badly wrong and ends in tragedy. Other issues such as peer pressure, bullying and managing aggression are also raised in this ?hard-hitting? drama.
Target audiences for ?TOAST? are S2 pupils (12 and 13 year olds). Performed in Edinburgh schools in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006, ?Toast? returns in 2008 to tackle anti-social behaviour and highlight attitudes to fireworks and safety issues directly with young people. Feedback on the play in previous years has been extremely positive, from both teachers and pupils.
Who's involved? Actors from "Moving Parts" Theatre Group will be performing to cover as many schools as possible in the six days available. They have been involved with the play since 2003 and are very experienced in staging drama in schools. Staff in the Local Community Planning team work with schools and produce materials that teachers can use to reinforce themes of the play.
When and Where?
Performances are taking place in seven high schools in the week leading up to Guy Fawkes Night, from Tuesday 28th October until Wednesday 5th November.
Tuesday 28 October
Wester Hailes Education Centre, 9.00am and 11.00am. Contact: Mark Holden on 442 2201
Wednesday 29 October
Leith Academy, 8.45am and 9.45am. Contact: David Peat on 554 0606
Drummond High School, 2.45pm. Contact: Sharon Gibson or Claire Thomson 556 2651
Thursday 30 October
Boroughmuir High School,10.55am and 11.50am. Contact: Mary Baker 229 9703
Friday 31 October
Balerno Community High School 11.15am. Contact: Jim Gladstone 477 7788
Tuesday 4 November
Gracemount High School, 1.35pm. Contact: Ian Patterson 664 7440
Wednesday 5 November
Craigmount High School, 9.45am. Contact: Sam Lynch 339 6823
