This collection of historical and contemporary scenes offers drama teachers a wide range of topics through an exploration of vividly drawn texts.

The opening pantomime dialogue contrasts with such serious issues as cholera and plastic pollution. These scenes give the drama studio a credible opportunity to develop partnerships with other departments within a school environment.

Historical scenes provide opportunities for cross-curricular activities in both History and English. For instance, scenes of the horror of the Great War will heighten perceptions of the wartime narrative.

Seven of the scenes are inspired by Shakespeare’s plays and will help the actor to develop their understanding of the original texts and the era in which the plays were written. The contemporary scenes confront issues relevant to young people growing up in an ever-changing world and explore such themes as ecological destruction, the refugee crisis and intergenerational conflict.

As the words of the text are brought to life, the actor should seek to find links to a given set of circumstances. Each scene is directly linked to the human situation. The actor’s mantra should be, “I will live the words I learn.”