Hi all, just wanted to say a big thank you for the performance yesterday at Access School , Shropshire. We are a small SEND school and both groups of pupils thoroughly enjoyed the performances. The four actors were so engaging, professional and delivered serious and relevant subject matter in an amusing and sensitive way that really worked for the pupils. It was very interesting to hear and see so many of them having very meaningful and personal discussions during the Q&A session. They were able to relate the characters to their own experiences and this was handled very sensitively and respectfully by the four actors.  A real joy and thank you again.

Please pass on our sincere thanks.

Access School, Shropshire 2018

We had a visit from Take Away Theatre last week who performed “Hope” to our P4 – 7 followed by workshops for the 6s and 7s.  It was absolutely incredible and has provided a real talking point for the pupils.  It is hard hitting and doesn’t shy away from how brutal bullying can be.  Our pupils were engrossed throughout the performance (as were our staff!) and have been raving about it since.  Please pass on our thanks to the team and let us know of any future productions you are offering.  I have recommended the group to some other schools in my area.

Kinmylies Primary School, Inverness 2018

Our children really enjoyed the performance.  The length and contact matched pupils' understanding and concentration.  By acting in the 'middle' of the audience rather than on stage, it was easier to capture the interest of the children and made them feel more part of the performance.  The workshops whereby the pupils were involved in making decisions made sure pupils were actively engaged in thinking about feelings, emotions and motives of both the bullies and victims.  Overall, messages were clear.  Theatre groups can sometimes concentrate too much on engaging pupils through humour and setting which distracts from the content and from thinking deeply about the storyline. Very successful!

Ferryhill Primary School, Aberdeen 2018

Students across all year groups felt the performance was outstanding throughout.  Many commented on the quality of the cast and the storyline in general.  Students were engrossed throughout and it has led to some students coming forward to share previously unknown safeguarding concerns.

Staff present felt that the workshops built on well to the performance.  By splitting the year group in half it allowed further questions and an opportunity to explore the themes of the production.  Excellent all round.

National Church of England Academy, November 2016

The staff and pupils thought that it was EXCELLENT!  The performances were all extremely good and the story was powerful, thought-provoking AND entertaining.  The theme is a difficult one to handle but it was very well considered and perfectly delivered.  The children were captivated and the follow up workshop and discussions prompted some excellent comments.  VERY WELL DONE!  EXCELLENT!

The workshops were a great opportunity for the children to explore all related issues in greater depth and to delve more deeply into relevant emotions etc.  The questions asked were very well chosen and stimulated some great responses.

There is so much more I could say and wax lyrical about.  The excellent performances of the actors fully engaged the children and helped them to see all of the possible viewpoints of those involved in a bullying situation.  Perfect pace, extremely relevant and a wonderful learning experience.  Please feel free to email me if you would like further details of pupil comments.

St John’s Primary School – Wetley Rocks, 2016

"A wonderful performance - a serious message delivered in a professional and highly competent manner. Superb acting with humour, which didn't detract from the serious message behind it all. Extremely realistic!"

Assistant Headteacher

The performance was expertly delivered and addressed some complex and hard hitting issues ranging from verbal, physical, emotional and cyber bullying to difficult home life’s and domestic violence. The actors played a number of different roles and skillfully merged the hard hitting messages with moments of audience involvement in an entertaining manner.

The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive and it was fantastic to hear that many students could transfer elements of the ‘Hope’ story to their own personal situations and life experiences.

UK School

Excellent performance by everyone.  Really engaged the audience.  Feedback from the students included comments like: ‘fun’, ‘interesting’, ‘thought provoking’ and ‘entertaining’.  They found it very relevant. 

The Question and Answer session was run well.  Students and staff were engaged and it reinforced to students that help was available and generated lots of discussion points. 

William Lovell Academy, November 2016

The workshop was an excellent activity.  It was completely active and made the children think independently and produced some very interesting outcomes and comments.  What was very engaging was the fact that the characters stayed in character throughout.  FANTASTIC ACTIVITY – WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

Doonfoot Primary School, October 2016

An excellent performance which really got the pupils engaged and thinking.  Following the performance, the pupils shared a real empathy with the characters and were able to explore in depth the issues surrounding bullying.  Great value for money.  Very relevant to our pupils.

Church Hill Middle School, March 2016

Everybody really loved the play. A clear message with lots to discuss afterwards. Very engaging and funny. The workshops were interactive and very thought provoking.

South Benfleet School

The performance was expertly delivered and addressed some complex and hard hitting issues ranging from verbal, physical, emotional and cyber bullying to difficult home life’s and domestic violence. The actors played a number of different roles and skillfully merged the hard hitting messages with moments of audience involvement in an entertaining manner.

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The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive and it was fantastic to hear that many students could transfer elements of the ‘Hope’ story to their own personal situations and life experiences.

Northampton School for Boys