Lie Back & Think of America has successfully  toured theatres, arts centres community centres and universities to rave reviews-  and is available for schools, colleges and private bookings.  The show is suitable for ages 11+ and it can be known as 'Love on Ration' if you feel it would be more appropriate.
:Please contact us:  admin@frontroomtheatre.co.uk

Themes in the play include: racial and social prejudice, citizenship, sex and evacuation. The style of the piece is Brechtian and contains some audience interaction.

Discounts:
Discounts are available
Please contact us with any enquiries: admin@frontroomtheatre.c o.uk

 
LIE BACK AND THINK OF AMERICA WORKSHOPS  AVAILABLE: 

Enquiries can be made by emailing admin@frontroomtheatre.co.uk Or please call 0118 931 0720
Length: 50-60 mins

-Key stage 3 and 4 English:
The performance of the play and accompanying workshop can help students with learning in ways which meet National Curriculum Criteria for English:
In the accompanying English workshop, we will examine:
-the use of figurative language in the play and the differences between formal and informal speech: how would vocabulary choice and grammar differ in these characters if they were from different backgrounds? Exercise suggested: Re-write a speech in standard modern English.
(The characters in the play are from working class London, Wales and Chicago)
-how the play has been staged: Could a different staging provide a different experience or understanding? Would a multi-role play provide a different experience. If it were using other techniques, rather than Brechtian, would the audience be more or less involved? What effect does it have to see a grown person playing an eight year old? Why might a production choose to do this? Suggested Exercise: Devise an extra scene in the play with several students and present: discuss the effects of performing the scene with several people. This way, the students will be participating in debate and structured discussion: They will be improvise and perform and then analyse the performances, and discuss the use of tone, volume, mood, silence and other aspects of each others' performances, both in their own improvisations and in the performance.


-PSHE/Citizenship
Rights, responsibilities & duties. PHSE issues around sex, love, family values. Who should have intervened when Joe was bullied because of his race? What would you have done? What would you do? What do you think should have happened? Should Sarah and Joe have made love, or should they have waited? Should parents be allowed to smack children? Explored through group discussion and forum theatre

-Drama
How to create devised work. Various devising techniques, explored through the themes of the play, starting with the question: What could have happened instead? Using established plays as inspiration for new work (cf Shakespeare). What play would you like to create? Why? Does it have to be issue-based? What issues interest you? What would you like to explore? Why do we tell stories?

-Performing Arts
Applying performance techniques. Exploring techniques used by theatre practitioners such as Brecht, Boal. Exploring theatre styles, such as Greek Theatre, forum theatre. How would you use forum theatre with the piece? What effect is produced through direct audience address? What techniques can students spot that have been used in the production they have just seen? Are the themes similar to those they have seen in Greek Theatre? What techniques can they take away to use in their own performances?

-Bespoke workshops
Please let us know if there is something you would like which we do not currently cover.

-School performance: Cost negotiable depending on your situation and distance from us. Please call for a quote.
Running time: 1 hour 40 including a 15 minute interval. It can be abridged and performed without an interval if you need a shorter running time. Please ask.

We are happy to offer a short post-show discussion free of charge.

Workshops for secondary schools: (Various available)
Cost: £100 for up to 35 students - when booked with show
Cost: £250 for up to 35 students - when booked without show
Please contact us to see if we are performing in a theatre near you. If we are, then we may be able to offer you a discounted workshop rate. admin@frontroomtheatre.co.uk

Photo by Machitone Films