NEWS

WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW WINNERS

12 Jun 2013

Yesterday, Tuesday 11 June, eight winning schools from across the country watched their winning scenes and songs performed live on stage by the cast of Matilda The Musical. Each of the students received a ‘Maggot’ medal and certificate after the performance of their work before watching Matilda The Musical that evening with their classmates.

To celebrate the launch of Write Here Write Now with Matilda, the groundbreaking free online resource for schools, we set a National Writing Challenge inviting students aged between eight and thirteen to create an original script or song to be performed live by the West End cast.

Over 200 entries from schools across the UK were received and put through a full script selection process by the RSC, before the show’s creators Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin read the winning eight entries.

Music and lyricist for Matilda The MusicalTim Minchin said: ‘The entries are completely mad and wonderful and hilarious and I’d like to congratulate everyone on their wonderful imaginations and hard work. It’s wonderful to see young people engaging with writing for theatre and writing songs. I’m really proud to be involved in this awesome project.’

The writer of Matilda The MusicalDennis Kelly said: ‘I thought the scripts were brilliant, really excellent, I was quite jealous of some of them! It’s exciting to see young people bringing their own ideas and creativity to our story and I hope they enjoy the experience of seeing their work on stage.’

The eight schools whose work was performed on stage are Appleton Academy, Bradford; Bitterne Park School, Southampton; Pates Grammar School, Cheltenham; Richmond Park Academy, East Sheen, London; Scorton C of E Primary School, Preston, Lancashire; St Mary’s C of E (aided) Primary School, Horsham, West Sussex; St Paul with St Luke C of E Primary School, Tower Hamlets, London and Treorchy Comprehensive School, Treorchy, Mid Glamorgan.

Inspired by the themes of Matilda The Musical, the RSC Education Department created the free online resource to give schools insight into the creative process of staging this award-winning musical, and invites children to create their own scripts and songs.

Although the 2013 Challenge is now over, students can still create their own scripts and songs using the resource, here.

 

SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS