Play in a Day Synopses - Other Titles

'Tis the Season

Christmas is awesome. No, really, really cool. 'Course you do get Grandad snoring through the afternoon movie and Dad makes you eat sprouts (I know!) but the presents part is great and everyone gets a paper hat. Pity it can't be every day.

However, as they begin to explore the subject, the actors reveal there is so much more to the history and evolution of 'Christmas' than we realize. The Nativity is one thing but where does the big fat bloke with reindeer and a thing for chimney's come in to it? Why is he dressed all in red? Is it just us that wonders about these things? What is the season of good will like in other countries, for example..? What's the real point of the season? To eat, drink and be merry?

From the bleak mid-winter of Dickensian England and the famous 'footballing' silent night of Christmas Eve in World War I through to our friends and neighbours in the 21st century, this play-in-a-day explores the true spirit of the season. What does it mean? How can we make a difference? At the heart of all the tinsel and the trappings lies a very simple message from which perhaps we could all learn a thing or two.

Meanwhile, everyone's busy writing greetings cards (and texting!), people are wrapping presents, Mum's bought up half of Tesco's... again and Carol's just fed up with people teasing her. The Turkey's looking nervous, the elves are gearing up toy production and as for Father Christmas..? He's just dreaming of his annual holiday in a little caravan by the seaside.

'Tis the Season to be jolly. What's not to like (unless, of course, you're a turkey)?

Divali

The festival of light. One of the world's most important religious festival is explored through this Play In A Day script. Its story, traditions and modern day celebrations are brought to life in this play, which is designed to be accessible for children from all religious backgrounds. What is Divali? Who celebrates this festival? Why is it celebrated? How is it celebrated? This play answers all these questions and more.

Stories from the Major Religions

This new RE focus Play in a Day title looks at four major religions - Hinduism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity - and asks each group to tell a story about the birth of their religion and another of great importance to their faith.

Each story is told by the whole group and the focus of the day is on the value of learning aspects of others' faith so that we can acknowledge the similarities, and be respectful of the differences, in what we all believe. The play has been written to offer stimulus for follow-up work in the classroom and provide a basic grounding across the key stages.

Just in Time for Christmas (Nativity)

This entertaining and humorous version of the nativity has all the main characters and events in the Christmas story. From Mary's visit by the angel Gabriel to the evil Herod and his bully boy sidekicks, not forgetting the shepherds who wash their socks and the three wise men - Melchior, Balthazar and Fred! This is a faithful, but fun re-telling of Christ's birth - just in time for Christmas!

Maths 4 All

Mathematics. In whatever form, it touches all our lives on a daily basis; from homework (Booooo!) to riding a bike, climbing the stairs or counting and spending pocket money (Hoorayyy!). There's simply no getting away from it: Maths are here to stay... but what's it all about? Where does it all come from? The Ancient Egyptians are claiming the credit... (though the Greeks and Persians may disagree!) but why all the fuss over mental maths, the four functions, fractions and times tables? Who needs it? Er... actually; we do!

Pyramids, statues, the eye of Horus and taxes... Achmus the Egyptian scribe is frantically trying to get it all down on papyrus. Plato, meanwhile, insists that Geometry is the key but Pythagoras has his own theorem and the great Chinese and Arabian scholars are out and about trying to map the stars (no, not Saturday night kind - real ones). Da Vinci is trying to balance more than just the books with his latest 'crazy' inventions and Isaac Newton has something on his mind too... if only he could remember what!

Yes, it all adds up as we're off on another roller-coaster ride through the story of mathematics and why it's so relevant to our daily lives. Welcome to Konflux Theatre's latest performance workshop Maths 4 All. From the earliest recorded use of numbers through to cutting edge technology, handling money, problem solving and teamwork it's all crammed into this dynamic and engaging new piece from our acclaimed Play-in-a-Day series. From taxation to trading, from mental maths to men on the moon this interactive new workshop (for KS2 pupils) is entertaining and thought-provoking by turns as it traces the evolution of mathematics down the ages and plants it firmly in the present.

Working with our professional director the students will be using key skills, working as a team and building self-confidence as an integral part of the process. Whilst supporting PSHE the day-long workshop and performance allows actors to explore and learn more about this fascinating subject whilst having fun and discovering maths as a key element of life and workplace skills .

As a complement to core curriculum activities or as part of a rewarding enrichment programme Maths 4 All explodes the myth that maths is only for swots and geeks and sets out to prove another theorem: maths can be enjoyable!

Streets Ahead

Distractions. They're everywhere these days! People sending and receiving texts, listening to music, chattering away with family or friends... all of them lost in the moment. So who's actually concentrating on getting across the road safely? What if you're running a bit late..? Doesn't it make sense to take a short cut and save time? Or how about this one -

"We've done road safety; we already know..."

Anything sound familiar? Then Streets Ahead is just for you. Aimed primarily at KS2-3 this brand new all-action performance workshop is perfect for any students exploring issues around road safety. In addition to pedestrian behaviour and roadside discipline we plunge into the wonderful world of independent travel, using public transport and in-vehicle behaviour. What particular hazards are there where you live? Where is it safest to cross the road and why? What types of crossing are there and how do they work? What if there aren't any official crossings nearby..?

Another exciting, lively and thought-provoking day long rehearsal with one of our professional directors, culminates in an interactive performance for peers and parents. Working together as actors to create a fun, action-packed performance, informing as much as it entertains, students will explore a wide range of events and issues. From the Green Cross Code to travelling by bike and a whole lot more - it's all up for discussion in Streets Ahead.

Encouraging students to use and develop key skills involving teamwork, personal discipline, self-expression, confidence building, problem solving and... oh yes... having FUN... Another unique learning experience from Konflux Theatre combining PSHE study with personal enrichment.

Streets Ahead is the latest addition to our acclaimed Play-in-a-Day performance workshop series.

For more information please call Rebecca on 01937 832740 or email rebecca@konfluxtheatre.co.uk