2019 - Wizard of Oz
2018 - Mary Poppins
2017 - Dahl's Dream
2016 - Oliver!
2015 - Matilda
2014 - Bugsy Malone
2014 - Albatross - Wings of Freedom (in London)
2013 - Kesho Amahoro (Peace Tomorrow) in London
In recent years, Downs Junior School has established strong links with schools and arts organisations in Kenya. International collaborative musical theatre projects have involved hundreds of children from Nairobi and Brighton and culminated with performances at the Rose Theatre, Kingston for the International Youth Arts Festival in London.
Together, they performed as a group called the Chicken Knitters.
Anna Rusbatch (our Head of Music) lived and taught music in Kenya for a few years and forged lifelong partnerships and friendships with inspiring musicians, artists, poets and storytellers. Most influential of those relationships has been Anna's creative partnership with playwright, and Head of Creative Arts, Lizzie Jago. Together, they've written new stage material and orchestral scores, tackling current global social issues, such as life as a child refugee and the black market slave trade. Anna and Lizzie have also collaborated on Christmas projects; re-writing the Nativity story from fresh perspectives and set in East Africa.
Excitingly, as a result of these successful international projects, the National Youth Theatre of Kenya was formed in 2015 and is now a registered charity. At its heart is a desire to write original material, based on true stories, that raise awareness of the plight of millions of voiceless children around the world. The creative team behind the National Youth Theatre of Kenya are young adults, who previously experienced the Nairobi-Brighton-London projects, and are now inspired to evolve creatively and provide high quality writing and performance opportunities for the youth of Kenya. Lizzie facilitates workshops and rehearsals with support from Anna in the UK, when required. The National Youth Theatre of Kenya are currently working with Lizzie and Anna to create a new theatre piece about the Lost Boys of South Sudan - bringing the lives of real child soldiers to the stage. Lizzie has also recently successfully founded the National Youth Choir of Kenya.
Below are links to some of the recent projects, involving Downs Junior School and children from Kenya:
Forming international partnerships, forging friendships and telling important stories:
Together, they performed as a group called the Chicken Knitters.
Anna Rusbatch (our Head of Music) lived and taught music in Kenya for a few years and forged lifelong partnerships and friendships with inspiring musicians, artists, poets and storytellers. Most influential of those relationships has been Anna's creative partnership with playwright, and Head of Creative Arts, Lizzie Jago. Together, they've written new stage material and orchestral scores, tackling current global social issues, such as life as a child refugee and the black market slave trade. Anna and Lizzie have also collaborated on Christmas projects; re-writing the Nativity story from fresh perspectives and set in East Africa.
Excitingly, as a result of these successful international projects, the National Youth Theatre of Kenya was formed in 2015 and is now a registered charity. At its heart is a desire to write original material, based on true stories, that raise awareness of the plight of millions of voiceless children around the world. The creative team behind the National Youth Theatre of Kenya are young adults, who previously experienced the Nairobi-Brighton-London projects, and are now inspired to evolve creatively and provide high quality writing and performance opportunities for the youth of Kenya. Lizzie facilitates workshops and rehearsals with support from Anna in the UK, when required. The National Youth Theatre of Kenya are currently working with Lizzie and Anna to create a new theatre piece about the Lost Boys of South Sudan - bringing the lives of real child soldiers to the stage. Lizzie has also recently successfully founded the National Youth Choir of Kenya.
Below are links to some of the recent projects, involving Downs Junior School and children from Kenya:
Forming international partnerships, forging friendships and telling important stories:
