News
Monday 5 March 2007
Art and science show to capture pupils' imagination (The Icarus Project, 8 - 15 March)
An art and science performance event, which aims to engage young people with the critical, moral and ethical issues of biomedical science, is to be shown at Nottingham Trent University. Dragon Breath Theatre is to perform The Icarus Project as part of the University’s celebration of National Science and Engineering Week 2007 (8 - 15 March).
The Icarus Project takes the ancient Greek myth of the boy Icarus, who flew too close to the sun, and weaves it with a modern story about a research scientist desperate to save the life of her daughter who has a degenerative disease.
It has been written by award-winning playwright and Nottingham Trent University senior lecturer, Peter Rumney, and directed by the Associate Director of Leicester’s Haymarket Theatre, Adel Al-Salloum. They are part of a top team of professional theatre makers, working alongside undergraduate puppeteers, designers and makers.
Over the last two years artists, students, school pupils, teachers and biomedical scientists have helped to research and develop this performance, which has already sold out to schools across the region.
The performance is also supported by an education programme developed in association with New College Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University’s Centre for Effective Learning in Science (CELS).
Peter Rumney, who is Joint Artistic Director of Dragon Breath Theatre, said: “This play is the result of an amazing partnership of people and organisations who are interested in encouraging young people to think about some of the hottest moral topics facing us today.”
ENDS
Notes for editors: The performances will take place in the University’s Waverley building.
The Icarus Project is a collaboration between Dragon Breath Theatre Company; Leicester Theatre Trust; Nottingham Trent University Theatre Design Course; the Centre for Effective Learning in Science (CELS); New College Nottingham and Ellis Guildford School; supported by Arts Council England and emda/Nottingham Science City through Creative Partnerships Nottingham and Ignite!
Dragon Breath exists to make challenging and exciting theatre with and for young people. It is an independent company hosted by Nottingham Trent University, and works with schools regionally to create performances that witness, advocate and validate young people’s experiences, raising challenging questions, and asking them to consider their place in the world.
Following the resounding success of Dragon Breath (2004) and Reaching for the Moon (2005) the company continues to develop education programmes associated with its performances, and research ways in which the arts and creativity can be used to enhance young people’s learning in school.
Special performance: Wednesday 14 March (7pm), followed by a discussion of the issues raised in the play.
Family performances: Saturday 10 March at 11.30am and 3pm (sold out).
Schools performances:
- Thursday 8 March at 10.30am
- Friday 9 March at 9.45am
- Monday 12 March at 9.45am
- Tuesday 13 March at 9.45am
- Wednesday 14 March at 9.45am
- Thursday 15 March at 9.45am and 2.30pm
For press tickets or for more information please email or telephone 07900 552553.
For more information please contact: Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email, or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email, or Atiqa Rehman, Media Officer, Leicester Theatre Trust, on telephone +44 (0)116 253 0021, or via email.
