Theatre and Arts

What do you get if you take more than 30 enthusiastic Cornish youngsters and a script written by a deputy head teacher, with some help from a friend who just so happens to be an Oscar nominee...

The play is called 'Band of Hope' looking at the famous Newlyn School of Painters such as Norman Garstin and Stanhope Forbes, as well as life in and round the west Cornwall village of Newlyn.

Andy Bowman is the Deputy Head at St Just County Primary School in west Cornwall. He has written the play and producing the cast of 34 actors and musicians. After writing the play he called on an old friend to cast an expert eye over the script. His name is Lee Hall and he wrote Billy Elliott...

The Mayor and councillor with village ladies

"I knew Lee about 25 years ago when we worked in youth theatre. He became a multi successful writer and I became a teacher," laughs Andy.

"I sent him a copy of the script asking what he thought, and he wrote back and suggested changing the order of some of the scenes and the songs, which I did. Unfortunately we couldn't get Elton John to write us a song."

Elton John and Lee Hall worked closely together on Billy Elliott the Musical. Even though the singing legend wasn't involved in this particular production in west Cornwall, the youngsters are delighted with Lee Hall's contributions.

"I was over the moon that Lee took the time to look at the script, but he has always been dedicated to youth theatre," says Andy.

The cast of over thirty have speaking parts, as well as playing an array of musical instruments in 'Band of Hope'. Not only are the enthusiastic youngsters working on their lines, and warming up their instruments for the end of term show, they are also learning a lot about the history of their local area.

Young actors as Newlyn artists

The youngsters are in their final year at primary school, and are facing quite dramatic roles in the school play.

"My husband goes at to see, but he gets knocked off the fishing boat and drowns," says Katy, one of the young stars of the show.

"Times are going to get harder with my husband gone in the play. It was really hard for young people back then. We are very lucky today."

Deputy Head Andy Bowman admits the roles are challenging but he is really pleased with how his actors are coping with their parts:

"They are brilliant. They are very difficult characters, and the stories are true. It is a big ask to expect these children to take on such roles."

The performances of 'Band of Hope' take place on Thursday 9 July and Friday 10 July 2009 at 7pm in St Just County Primary School.