Talented children at Y Pant’s E3 are the very best at panto! Oh yes they are!
In fact they did far more than perform a school pantomime this year – they wrote the script, composed the music, performed the backing track and directed the entire production!
Pupils from Y Pant Comprehensive School who have been learning and honing their performing skills thanks to the opportunities offered to them by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Services for Young People’s E3 provision took a spectacular production of Jack and the Beanstalk to the stage.
The youngsters have spent over a year preparing the production which appeared on stage at Garth Olwg Lifelong Learning Centre this week.
The pantomime was written and directed entirely by Year 11 student Matthew Ingram – who even displayed his acting prowess on stage by playing the part of the cow! Matthew is no stranger to an audience either because in 2010 he was shortlisted for the National Wicked Young Writers’ Award which took place in London and was commended for his short story about a boy suffering from autism.
With the support of co-director Helen Needs, the production also enjoyed the musical expertise of Martha Reed, also from Year 11 who wrote all of the music, songs and performed the backing track.
With a full cast of favourite characters, a plethora of side-splitting gags and plenty of dance and music, the production was a hit with parents and teachers alike.
Overseen by E3 Coordinator Richard Eynon, the aim of the production was to raise sufficient funds to stage another show called The Magpie’s Fluke which has been written by Year 11 student Ariane Brumwell.
With all of the proceeds invested in the next production, it means that not only new writing talent will be showcased, but also directing and production too. The Youth Theatre Group at Y Pant E3 perform shows that have specifically been written by students within the project itself.
E3+ stands for ‘Enrich, Extend, Excite’, and is a flexible out-of-school-hours learning model that enables schools and clusters to develop as community focused schools. It is designed to help schools provide:
- Activities and learning opportunities for the young people, parents
- Opportunities for involving pupils and young people in the design and delivery of activities
- Activities that can be delivered within a community focused school model
Councillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning said: “E3+ is somewhere that young people will want to go after school, where they feel that their voices are encouraged and listened to. There are a range of things to do as well as space where young people can just relax in a safe and caring environment.
“The common thread running through everything that happens during E3+ is that young people are actively encouraged and expected to be involved in developing what happens there. This not only helps ensure that E3+ activities are relevant and appealing, but also provides young people with transferable skills that will benefit them later in life, such as teamwork, communication and marketing skills.
“Clearly the pupils of Y Pant Comprehensive School have achieved just that, but also preparing and performing what was an outstanding stage production enjoyed by everyone who had the pleasure of attending. Congratulations to them all on their success!”
Headteacher Stuart Tucker said “This was a hugely enjoyable evening. To write, design and perform a production of this nature demonstrates great creativity, organisation and talent. Well done to all concerned.
