The Drama Department

Hall Mead School presents...

The Lighthouse Project

A new play, devised by the cast


ALL HALL JULY 8th, 9th,10th, 11th 8pm

Notes
Ten troubled teenagers come together to help renovate a deserted lighthouse. Mysterious and frightening events lead them to a realisation that changes them forever...

The Process
This production was written using the 'Mike Leigh' method. Mike Leigh himself is well known for such plays and films as 'Secrets and Lies', 'Life is Sweet', 'Abigail's Party' and 'Nuts in May'. The process centres around creating realistic characters,over a period of weeks. Only gradually, are these characters introduced to each other, in a series of structured, spontaneous improvisations. From these initial improvisations, the beginnings of storyline start to emerge. This process is extremely time-consuming and difficult.

At the heart of the process is the notion of 'character'. The actors spend weeks developing their character first. They never do anything in an improvisation that is not 'true to the character'. The script is created as a result of the character and the improvisations that take place. In short, creating a play using the Mike Leigh method is an actor's process', rather than a 'writer's process'.

To my knowledge, this is the first time ever that a school has engaged this process to create a full-length play in the UK.

The cast would like to express their gratitude to their parents and the school-keepers, who have supported this production in many ways.

A play in two acts

Directed by Mr S. Home

By: lan Abel, Phil Aherne, Jamie Biggs, Daniela Botta, Hannah Burt,
Wendy Brown, Lucy Clements, Bethany Goodwin, Becky Gunby,
Lauren Taylor, Angela Thorn, Richard Kempin (& Mr. S. Home).

Lighting/sound Robert Gunby & Chris