Scenes of great drama at Gateacre

One artistic director, one associate director, 12 practitioners, six project managers, 12 peer mentors, 11 partner organisations, four countries, 10 days. This was Frantic Assembly’s Ignition project 2021.

Only one of the 11 partner organisations was a school and that was Gateacre School.

Gateacre’s drama department has always been huge fans of the highly energetic and vibrant theatre company Frantic Assembly, known for their physical and collaborative approach, so the school was delighted to house a two day residency which brought together a group of 13 students age 16+ who were stretched and challenged in every way possible.

They worked to create a performance which will be digitally edited together with the work created by the 10 other partner organisations. Due to the pandemic, this was an adaptation of previous Ignition projects which would normally see participants meeting up and culminating their work on a London stage.

Lisa Mitchell, community co-ordinator at Gateacre, said: “Despite restrictions, the impact of its work and approach did not deteriorate. Ignition’s aim is to develop talent, dismantle barriers and open doors for young people. It is hard to put into words what a rare opportunity this was for our students.

“It is doubtful that any of the students have been taught how to walk on walls before or be lifted into the air by 12 people, let alone be allowed to perform physically on top of the cafeteria tables. Frantic Assembly, however, seem to have the magical ability to make anything possible.”