Why ‘the play’ is not the only thing…

Regeneration Theatre’s ‘Hamlet’ is more than just another theatre show. Wherever our Hamlet is performed, we will support and augment the impact that it will make by delivering a significant amount of outreach work.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

Hamlet is a play about ambitiona, loyalty, honour and imagination. It is also about isolation, psychological torment, loneliness, and madness. Mark Lockyer (our principal Hamlet) knows too well all about those things, because for his whole adult life he has lived with - and suffered the consequences of - severe bipolar disorder, an illness that has wreaked almost unimaginable chaos in his life. But with time, creativity and patience he has recovered. And a big part of this recovery was his connection and reconnection to theatre. In acknowledging this there is a powerful message of hope that we cannot, and will not, ignore.

Our ‘Hamlet’ was created because of Mark’s talent – but what we do with it is happening because of Mark’s experience.

WHAT IS OUTREACH WORK?

Outreach is the activity of “providing services to any population that might not otherwise have access to those services”. And a key component of outreach is that it “involves meeting someone in need of an outreach service at the location where they are”.

And so, alongside playing in established theatres, Regeneration is going to take Hamlet to the people and places left behind - to people who can’t get to the theatre because of finances, geography or because of illness, or because they’re incarcerated in some way – and to young people so left behind and forgotten about that they don’t even know that theatre is a “thing”.

During our pilot tour we’re going to take work into a number of schools, a couple of PRUs (Pupil Referral Units), a prison, a mental health unit and a homeless project – all of which our lead actor has lived experience of. The work in each setting will be carefully tailored for that precise setting - sometimes this will include a full run of the play, sometimes it will involve presenting a cut version of the play, and sometimes it will only involve scenes from the play – but it will always use Hamlet as the start point for a workshop programme.

Any issues with literacy and reading, or concerns about working with Shakespeare, will not be a block to the work, because we are going to use theatrical techniques including image work, modern referencing points, and improvising around the text. More than anything we want the workshops to be inclusive, engaging, enjoyable and worthwhile. There are real learning points to be had, which will link to the different characters’ situations, behaviours and choices made throughout the play.

WHAT HAPPENS WHERE?

Outreach work in schools develops skills, builds confidence, and encourages enjoyment – our schools workshops will ensure that students can experience Shakespeare  in a safe and familiar environment. They can also enhance the curriculum and fit in with chosen themes and topics.

Outreach work in a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) helps students with social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. It can also help students who have been suspended or are at risk of failing school. 

Outreach work in Young Offenders Institutions (YOI) involves supporting young people to prevent reoffending and to help them develop skills to improve their lives, by improving confidence, self-esteem, and interpersonal skills. It can also help young people develop creative skills and become more aware of the consequences of crime. (Evidence strongly suggests that young people in custody who get involved in the arts are less likely to re-offend.)

Theatre outreach work in prisons can improve the safety and well-being of those in prison, and help those people to refocus their lives. It can support effective rehabilitation and draw people towards positive choices and decisions

Drama outreach work with the homeless community aims to increase confidence/self-esteem, build interpersonal skills and unlock life skills that can be transferable in day-to-day life. It can significantly help people with seeking out and engaging with training or employment. In the words of David Tovey (former homeless person and CEO of Arts For Homelessness International) “the Arts saves lives.”