Playinaday synopses - History titles
Remember, Remember (Gunpowder Plot)
When good Queen Bess pops her royal clogs, the Tudor dynasty comes to an end. James 1st is her successor. James really can't be done with all these fawning peasants but frankly he's gonna look gorgeous come what may, so… it looks like there could be fireworks ahead.
Suddenly there is great tension across the land as Catholics fear for their safety and Protestants fear a backlash from powerful enemies abroad. Everyone is jostling for power and getting ready to take any chance that comes their way. The trouble is one Will Shakespeare, playwright, is suffering from writer's block. It is a time of spies, plotting, traitors and gunpowder. Powerful enemies lurk in the shadows and the defence of the realm is at stake, no less. In the Midlands a group of wealthy gentlemen meet and decide the time is right to strike a blow for their cause. This King and Parliament just have to go, folks. Boom! Thirteen conspirators, thirty barrels of gunpowder and one rather nervous Guido Fawkes caught looking very shifty indeed. Bang to rights.
In this explosive and fun-filled presentation we meet the real people behind the infamous 'Gunpowder Plot'. Children can explore the incident itself, discover a host of real life characters connected to it and together we'll ask who was really behind the plot and why. Meanwhile poor Will continues to twiddle his quill pen and stare at his blank parchment… Something's got to give.
Have a Heart
The Aztecs. Who were they? What do we really know about them? Why did they suddenly disappear? In the deep dark jungles of South America, Montezuma and his Aztecs are on the warpath. With bright feathers, masks of solid gold and a host of unpronounceable gods they are the biggest bullies on the block… until General Cortez and his Spanish Conquistadors decide to drop in for a bit of casual theft, slaughter and mayhem. Meanwhile King Ferdinand of Spain is screaming for gold, the Pope is screaming for souls to save, the Aztecs are screaming for human sacrifices and Columbus' parrot is just, well, screaming. There's more to these exotic chilli peppers than meets the eye… The search for sight of Eldorado, the feeling power, the thirst for blood (and boy are these guys thirsty!) and the all-conquering taste of chocolate; it's all rolled up into one big adventure… if you have the heart for it.
Ideal for KS2 & KS3, this new title for 2009 is highly interactive and works on several levels. First, by exploring the many aspects of bullies and bullying through the history and context of ancient cultures it allows students to consider emotive issues in a 'safe' environment. Second, it affords a real insight into the day to day life of the mysterious Aztecs and their neighbours. Third, it allows students to explore the nature of story-telling through drama … and if all that isn't enough in a single day - how about the fact that it's a fun-packed, rip roaring story too?
Albie's War (World War 2)
Albie keeps a diary. Nothing special about that, you might think, until one morning the Headmaster announces the whole school is to be evacuated to the countryside. It's the adventure of a lifetime for Albie and his pals as they scramble aboard a train into the unknown. Told with passion and warmth the story boasts an impressive cast of characters ranging from the Houses of Parliament, ARP Wardens and Land Girls to an American airman and Winston Churchill himself. This is WWII through the eyes of Albie Reid, aged thirteen and three-quarters.
Albie’s Peacetime
WWII is over. Albie Reid, evacuee, returns home to a whole new world. Gone are the familiar rows upon row of terraced houses and in their place stand modern tower blocks. Like all his friends and neighbours Albie has to come to terms with continued rationing (Boo!), the advent of TV (Cor!) and the arrival of rock’n’roll and hula-hooping (Hooray!). The politicians are fighting over Suez and the Cold War, the censors are fighting with Elvis’ dancing and the Teddy Boys..! Well, they’ll fight anything you’ve got… until the Sergeant Major bellows, “Get yer ‘air cut!” and their National Service begin. Everyone stands in queues for everything. Meanwhile on the other side of the world Edmund Hillary climbs Everest only to discover, much to his frustration, that even here one has to queue for the loo… Never had it so good..? Things will never be the same again; that’s for sure.
Exploring some of the key national, international, cultural and political changes that defined an era this dynamic, entertaining and thought-provoking piece is a new addition to Konflux Theatre’s acclaimed play-in-a-day series.
Greece is the Word
Ancient Greece; the Cradle of Civilisation. Where men were men but no-one dared argue with the women of Sparta - Home to the greatest thinkers, philosophers, writers and athletes of the day. Meet Alexander the Great, the young general who sulks if he doesn't get his own way, Herodotus the Historian (who thinks he's John Travolta) and Archimedes the mathematician who discovers displacement theory and accidentally invents streaking. This is a fun-filled ride through the age of classical Greece as you've never seen it before. Will anyone heed poor Cassandra? Will Pandora open the box? Will our hero escape the snake haired Medusa? Hang on; the Chorus would like a show of hands, please…
The Victorians
"Cor blimey Guv'nor!" This fast-paced trip around Victorian England takes us from life in the workhouses to the first home of Dr Barnados. We touch on the influence of Darwin, the introduction of a police force and the struggles faced by those in sickness and poverty before the advent of modern medicine. The Victorians is a real ensemble play - the group are posed for a Christmas card one moment and creating a weaving machine with just their bodies the next! The play provides a good overview of issues and lots of stimulus for follow-up work.
Meet the Tudors
King Henry believes in having a good time. It would be even better if he wasn't lost in his new maze at Hampton Court. All he wants is a son and heir, but his queens keep having baby girls - so they'll have to go. Time for cut-backs in the royal household and the Executioner is on overtime already. When good Queen Bess inherits the throne there are sighs of relief all round but the Axeman is soon in full swing again. Talk about a dysfunctional family! A glorious pageant of the Tudor age - from the Wars of the Roses to the Spanish Armada. And just what does the saucy Earl of Essex think he's playing at..? There are spies everywhere. Trust no-one!
Cleopatra's Egypt
Step back in time to Ancient Egypt! For as long as anyone can remember every King has been called Ptolomey and the people haven't been able to understand a word they say - "It's all Greek to me!" someone was heard to shout! But then Cleopatra comes to the throne with the help of Julius Caesar… but when Caesar dies Cleo counts on his friend Mark Antony - much to the annoyance of Rome! A fast paced, hysterical and historical play
1066 The Battle of Hastings
Edward is king and Harold is his loyal servant, but William fancies the English crown so when Harold takes a trip to France he finds himself swearing allegiance to the Norman king only to face him across the battle field on the most famous date in English history.
A comprehensive re-telling of Harold and William's story with lots of humour, 1066 - The Battle of Hastings is perfect for classes studying the period and is a good introduction to ensemble drama work.
The Vikings
For nearly 300 years the Vikings carried out raids on the British Isles . They were exceptional travelers - it is even believed that they reached America hundreds of years before Columbus. This play tells the story of the Viking people - their raids on the British Isles, their religion, culture, politics, food and lifestyle. It is fun and lively, guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone's face. Learn about the thunderous Thor, the legendary Longships and the Viking's 'Things'!
Monstrous Mines
Inspired by the Horrible Histories collection, this is a brief look at some of the more unsavoury and dangerous aspects of life in a coal mining community many years ago. From pit ponies, child labour and the fear and tragedy of accidents, Monstrous Mines looks at the way that life has changed for miners and their families and celebrates the heritage and bravery of communities whose livelihoods were built on coal.
Fire in the West
For many, he was the true Prince of Wales. Here the legendary figure of Owain Glyndwr is brought to life by the Bards of Wales who tell us the tale of Owain's struggle against the English to bring a national Church and Parliament to his country of birth. This title is also available in the Welsh language. Please contact us for details of other titles available in Welsh.
For more information please call Rebecca on 01904 611 355 or email rebecca@konfluxtheatre.co.uk
