GW Theatre Company

A likely story is a play about telling stories……

Audiences will learn the basic rules of story construction as they watch this unique play, and they will then be given an opportunity to put those rules into practice by deciding how the play should end, and will then see that performed by the actors. Each performance can be followed by sessions with a professional story-teller who will help the children build on the knowledge gained during the play to create narratives of their own.

And much more…..

The stories told in A Likely Story – “George and the Dragon” and “Shahrazad and the Sultan” from 1001 Nights – are traditional and multi-cultural. But both are given a modern and thought-provoking twist in this play, providing a forum for teachers to discuss important issues around positive cultural identity as well as the nature of the narrative.

A Likely Story was commissioned by Peacemaker* in 2004 as central part of a larger project called Tell It Like It is, in which Year 5 pupils in 25 Oldham primary schools received performances of the play together with additional sessions with a professional storyteller, young volunteer storytellers and a professional artist. All participating children received a follow up pack that included text and CD-Rom versions of the stories within the play.

GW is currently assessing how the project can be adapted for touring across a wider geographical area. The show will be toured into Oldham schools again this spring and there will be a special performance at The Lowry Arts Centre in Salford on St. George’s Day itself.