The Traverse Theatre’s flagship education project, Class Act, turns 21 this year. To celebrate this achievement, the Traverse will stage a Gala performance of 21 plays from each year of the project on 29 January. The evening will be hosted by writer and star of BBC 1 Sitcom Gary Tank Commander, Greg McHugh, who took part in Class Act in as a student in 1997.
The Gala performance will bring the funniest, darkest and most moving Class Act plays back to the Traverse stage. The performance will also include some of the professional playwrights, actors and directors who worked on the project through the years, including Philip Howard, Lorne Campbell and Jemima Levick.
The Traverse is looking for people who took part in Class Act as students, and for anyone who worked on the project as a playwright, actor, director, stage manager or Project Co-ordinator.
Tickets for the Gala Performance are free to former participants, who should contact Noelle O’Donoghue, Head of Traverse Learning, noelle.o’donoghue@traverse.co.uk.
The Traverse is also inviting participants to share their memories and stories on a Facebook (Traverse Theatre – Class Act Reunion).
Class Act (originally known as Writers About) has helped over twelve hundred young people in over 50 schools write 671 plays. Lead by Head of Traverse Learning, Noelle O’Donoghue, senior Drama and English students are mentored by professional playwrights, developing plays which are staged at the Traverse Theatre. Since 2009, the project has been extended to Glasgow Schools, with performances staged in the city’s Tron Theatre.
The project has involved playwrights such as Alan Wilkins, David Harrower, David Greig, Nicola McCartney, Douglas Maxwell and Gregory Burke. The plays have been brought to life by actors including Colin McCredie, Kevin McKidd, Ryan Fletcher, John Kazek, Cora Bissett and Katrina Bryan.
Gala Performance and Party
Saturday 29 January (7.30pm)
Tickets: £10 (proceeds will go towards the Traverse
50 Learning Celebrations)
Free to former participants and one guest
