Read all about it – pupils take first steps on to professional stage

Children in Years 5 and 6 from schools in Enborne, Chaddleworth St Andrews and Shefford, Inkpen, Shaw-cum-Donnington, Stockcross and Welford and Wickham are involved in the performance, written by West Berkshire-based playwright Laura Ellen Major, which runs until Saturday.
It tells the tale of children sent to live at Camp Revamp, a fictional initiative launched by the government, seemingly to teach the importance of being eco-friendly but in fact brainwashing them to dig deep into their pockets and buy consumer goods.
The Newbury Weekly News was glad to help out with the eco-friendly production, donating 150 newspapers to be used as props.
The marketing director at the Watermill, Jan Ferrar, said: “[The newspapers] were a great help. They have been really useful as we needed a massive amount.”
The performance was organised as part of the Schools Federation Project, which aims to get more children involved in theatre and improve children’s self-confidence before moving up to secondary school.
“It’s always fun,” added Ms Ferrar. “We apply the same standards to these shows as we do with our professional shows, so it’s good experience for them.”
The headteacher of Inkpen Primary School, Gerry Heaton, added: “The children gain so much from this collaboration through working with professional writers, directors, designers, stage managers and with each other.
"[It] gives them an unparalleled opportunity to perform on the world-renowned Watermill stage as well as to get to know other friendly faces amongst their peers; some of whom they will recognise and gravitate towards in their first few weeks in secondary school.”
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