Learning Objectives:

• To explore status relationships
• To pick up verbal and non-verbal cues

This is a good activity to follow Status Pictures and Pecking Order. All you need is a standard pack of cards with the Jokers removed. Explain that in this game, the Ace is the lowest card and the King is the highest.  Ask for two volunteers.  Give them a situation to improvise, eg In the dentist's waiting room or At the department store and explain that the aim is to guess what their card is by the way the other person behaves towards them.

KEY STAGE 2 (Year 3/4)

This is the second part of the drama unit linking to QCA History Unit 9: What was it like for children in the Second World War? and in particular section 4: What was it like to be an evacuee?

• If you try this with your group, I would be delighted to hear how it went! 

Written and directed by David Farmer, with music by Kenny Forrest.

Three actor/musicians. 50 minutes. Script and music available.

Originally a co-production with the Lyric, Hammersmith and Tiebreak Theatre Company, Jack and the Beanstalk toured throughout the UK in 2005. Read interviews with David Farmer about the production at bbc.co.uk and Derby Telegraph

'A beautifully imagined account of this children's favourite, performed with gusto and real storytelling suspense.'
- The Sunday Times

'Intelligent, humorous, inventive theatre for young people - achieved with remarkable imagination and flair.'
- The Stage

'There is a wonderful lament by Milkywhite the torch-singing cow, while unlikely musical instruments include scrubbing brushes in buckets and flower pots on strings.'
- Time Out

Written by Joyce Dunbar. Adapted by David Farmer. Original music by Francis Goodhand (script available).

45 minutes. Performed by two actors and a musician. Suitable for 3-7 year olds.

Presented by Tiebreak Theatre Company
Directed by Dianne Hancock.

Appeared at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
13th – 31st December 2005 and extensive UK schools and theatre tour in Spring 2006.

'Truly a flatshare made in heaven... These humorous stories, adapted by David Farmer, make a cockle-warming valedictory show for Tiebreak Theatre Company. Liberal scatterings of boisterous play, whoops, squeaks and songs on stage prompt matching outbreaks of exuberance among the audience.'
- Time Out, March 2006 (read full review)

'Characters that stand alongside the greats of children’s literature. Perfectly judged humour, perfectly paced dialogue.'
- The Sunday Telegraph.

'The BEST children's performance I have ever seen - and we do go to the theatre with Matilda our daughter (age 4) a LOT! Thankyou!'
- Audience comment at Warwick Arts Centre.

• Saturday 25 October 2008 10.30am - 4.30pm

Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1

This one day course gives you an opportunity to learn the skills required in directing a play for the stage. With an emphasis on a practical approach, participants will work with professional theatre director David Farmer in exploring how to tell a story through performance. Topics covered include working with a script, blocking a scene, sub-text, character development, mime and movement. The day is suitable for teachers, drama workers, actors, theatre directors and anybody else who would like to explore these ideas.

'I spent a wonderfully interesting and productive day at David's workshop which resulted in my learning new techniques, skills and games. These I am already using and putting into practice. I enjoyed myself SO much!'
- Judith Vaughan