Fire Service and Biddenham Upper School stage theatre production - 15th December 2009
Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service (BLFRS) has been working with Biddenham Upper School on a theatre production “One too Many” to get the message across to young people that drink -driving is not an option.
BLFRS has commissioned “Boxed Biddenham Theatre Company” to devise a play that would appeal to a young audience.
In this joint collaboration drama students were given a real case study as a stimulus to create a piece of theatre for their target audience and also to be assessed as part of their 'A' level syllabus.
The play explores the serious consequences of irresponsible driving due to the effects of alcohol and the impact an accident has on friends and family. It gives a hard-hitting dramatisation of what happens when fun times turn to tragedy and the devastating effect that has on the lives of everyone involved.
Matt Howard-White, professional actor and technician at the school, said:
“The students wanted to produce something unique and abstract with a strong visual content that would stay in the minds of young people. The end result is a professional piece of theatre that gets the safety message across loud and clear to the target audience of sixth formers.”
Derek Hobbs, BLFRS Community Safety Support Manager (North), added:
“Working with young people and creating safer homes and roads are two of the key priorities of BLFRS. By supporting these students as they create their own ways of communicating with their peers, through this production, we aim to deliver the vital safety message “Don't Drink and Drive”, keeping people as safe as possible on our roads.
“Previously BLFRS commissioned an anti-arson play by Biddenham Upper School. From this success we decided to work with them on another production, this time with a strong message to keep young people away from drink-driving. The Fire Service rescues seven times as many people from wrecked cars as they do from fires and it is crucial that we get a strong message across to everyone, including young people.”
BLFRS and Boxed Biddenham Theatre Company will be touring with “One Too Many” to the following schools and colleges across Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough.
Stratton Upper School
Sandy Upper School
John Bunyan Upper School
Biddenham Upper School
The Grange, Kempston
Bedford College
Mark Rutherford Upper School
