This week, Oxford Playhouse hosted a special Primary Playmaker showcase on its Main Stage, featuring plays written by primary school pupils in Oxfordshire. The plays were performed by professional actors, marking the tenth anniversary of the theatre’s Creative Education flagship scheme.

Since September 2024, The Playhouse team have worked with over 300 primary schoolchildren, helping them to devise their original scripts. The finished plays covered all sorts of imaginative stories from dragon babysitters and magical space portals to Amazon adventures and social justice frogs! Pupils saw their wonderful work come to life at the theatre on Tuesday 18 March, along with invited guests including the Lord Mayor of Oxford.

The scheme was launched a decade ago as a collaboration between The Playhouse and Oxford Playmaker, headed by local playwright Renata Allen. It started with children writing and staging their own plays, and over the years, it has grown significantly. The Playhouse now run the project entirely, having worked with over 2,600 children in more than 20 different schools over the past ten years.

The project aims to support children’s literacy learning through drama and script writing in the classroom. Over ten sessions, facilitated by professional theatre makers, primary school children use drama-based games and practical skills, such as performance and improvisation, to devise their plays.

The showcase is a culmination of the programme, which aims to support pupils with their literacy skills, communication, and creativity, as well as their confidence and teamwork skills.

The Primary Playmaker initiative is supported by a variety of trusts, foundations and individual donors. This year, Oxford Playhouse has also received support from St John’s College, Oxford. As part of a pilot project called Open House for Schools, St John’s has enabled many young people to participate in this anniversary year of the scheme, as well as to see live theatre on The Playhouse stage.

The Primary Playmaker showcase was directed by the current Resident Director of Oxford Playhouse, Ben Newman and theatre maker Lauren Carter.

On directing the showcase, Ben Newman said:

“It has been a true honour for Lauren and me to direct scripts that showcase the pupils’ incredible talent and hard work. Packed with action, adventure, magic, and humour, these stories have been a joy to bring to life. It was brilliant to see an auditorium full of excited schoolkids watching their creations unfold on the Oxford Playhouse main stage.”

The professional actors featured in this year's showcase were Herb Cuanalo, Daisy Ann Fletcher, Steve Hay, and Kate Spencer.

Kate returns for her third Primary Playmaker showcase, joined by Daisy who last appeared in the Oxford Playhouse pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, as Ursula the Unsure.

The Creative Education programme at Oxford Playhouse works with teachers and students across the county to promote the valuable role of drama and theatre in the classroom, both as a tool for engaging pupils and to empower teachers to use creative approaches in their classroom delivery. The Playhouse deliver this programme of activity across all key stages of education, from Early Years to Higher Education, building partnerships with schools, colleges, and universities. Each year, Oxford Playhouse engages with more than 8,000 pupils.