TheatreQuest

In 2007, TheatreQuest gave children from across the UK the chance to engage with their local professional theatre. A brand new play was commissioned by Children & the Arts for the project.

About TheatreQuest

TheatreQuest was centred around award-winning author Jamilia Gavin’s A Singer from the Desert Came. Children were given the opportunity to visit their local theatre to watch a performance of the specially commissioned play. Following the performance, children were given a guided tour of the theatre and were introduced to the people behind the scenes.

Back at school children performed their own versions of the play, and worked on set-design and costume making. Set in the future when the world as we know it has been destroyed by our current way of life, the play also encouraged children to discuss a variety of environmental and social issues.

The project culminated in a grand, national finale at the Unicorn Theatre in London in January 2008. The finale was attended by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. The work of all the schools involved in the project was showcased in a variety show which included performances of sections of the play, a fashion show of costumes and a short film.

View the TheatreQuest teaching materials online, or buy a copy from our shop.

Who was involved?

Sponsored by Land Securities, 1300 children from 13 secondary schools were linked with 13 theatres in their local area.