News

In anticipation of next weeks Holyrood performances of “The Scottish Parliament Show” the STV news web site has featured a story.

http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh/news/254218-new-play-brings-drama-to-scottish-parliament/

Politics and theatre will collide when the Hopscotch Theatre Company brings ‘The Scottish Parliament Show’ to Holyrood on Thursday 9 June. Aiming to inspire young people to engage in the political voting process as readily as they vote in an X Factor final, Hopscotch’s funny and poignant play blends an inspiring story about Wee Jenny’s school trip to the Scottish Parliament with traditional live music and the songs of Robert Burns.

School children have been invited to attend the play which will be staged in Committee Room 2 at 10.00am and 11.30am.  There will be a special performance for MSPs at 1.15 pm.

Welcoming the show to the Scottish Parliament, Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP said:
“It seems fitting that this play – inspired by The Scottish Parliament – be staged here in front of an audience of school pupils and MSPs. Any show that encourages children to participate in the democratic process and also succeeds in being both funny and entertaining, is surely to be recommended.”

Media who wish to attend the event or arrange interviews with  Hopscotch Theatre Company should contact Ann Donald in the Scottish Parliament’s Media Relations Office.

Background
Based in Glasgow, Hopscotch Theatre Company was established 23 years ago and has produced almost 80 original shows for primary and secondary schools. The shows cover everything from historical to environmental and health themed plays jam-packed with music, humour and fun.

“The Scottish Parliament Show” is written and directed by Raymond Burke who has worked for BBC Scotland, Scottish Opera and the Arches Theatre, Glasgow.

Synopsis of the play
On a visit to the present day Scottish Parliament, Wee Jenny is magically whisked back in time by the parliamentary mace where she meets the revolutionary Purlie Wilson. Purlie gives Wee Jenny a lively lesson on the importance of democracy with the help of a colourful collection of characters from Robert the Bruce to the suffragettes. Jenny is left inspired and engaged to join her school’s pupil council and have her say.

Members of the media should contact:
Ann Donald: 0131 348 5605 RNID TypeTalk calls welcome
Email: ann.donald@scottish.parliament.uk
For information about all committees of the Scottish Parliament please visit:
www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/index.htm
To view live proceedings of parliamentary committees and the main chamber, or for archive footage, please visit:
www.holyrood.tv/

For public information enquiries, contact:
Telephone: 0800 092 7500
Textphone users can contact us on 0800 092 7100. We also welcome calls using the Text Relay service.
Text message: 07786 209888
Email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
You can now also follow us on twitter @scotparl

Hopscotch Theatre Company is happy to announce that their pantomime for 2011 will be “Mother Goose.” Oh no it isn’t oh yes it is! With touring dates throughout Scotland from November 2011 to January 2012. The new script has been written by Hopscotch Artistic Director Ross Stenhouse. BOOK NOW!

Hopscotch Theatre Company’s Autumn 2011 show will be “Scottish Myths and Legends” written by Raymond Burke. Book Now!

Saturday 8th May 2011 saw the Tramway host another brilliant Family Day with the theme of “Alice in Wonderland”. Hopscotch Theatre Company’s Gordon Bavaird created the storytelling space with toadstool cushions and wonderful storytellers. There were some giant white rabbits and playing cards too that came through the looking glass and as you can see from the photos the playing cards were joined by some smaller cards throughout the day!

Hopscotch Theatre Company will be performing “The Scottish Parliament Show” at the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh on Thursday 9th June 2011 for an invited audience of MSPs and school pupils.

Hopscotch’s new production “The Parliament Show” hits the road on tour on Monday 21st March 2011. Our first performance is at St. Philomena’s Primary School in Robroyston and the cast are really looking forward to it. Written and Directed by Raymond Burke and featuring the songs of Robert Burn’s “A Parcel o’Rogues” and “A Man’s A Man For A’ That.”