Meet the writer...ALAN SPENCE

  What is Sieze The Day? Drama in schools and Theatre for young audiences has been dismissed, underfunded and undervalued for decades. We need decision makers, Government, MPs and school governors, to understand the value of Drama and Theatre Education.   Between 2010 and 2017 there was a 24% drop in students taking GCSE Drama. The Covid pandemic has had a devastating impact upon theatres that produce work for young audience despite emergency funding to sustain companies through the worst of it. The government has reneged on promised funding for arts subjects in schools while slashed funding in higher education.   In March 2022 the DTEA co-ordinated events led by schools, theatre companies and practitioners, who invited their local MP and press to visit them and witness their experience.   We are expanding our campaign for 2023 with a weeks worth of events across the UK in schools and theatres, featuring performances, workshops and more with children and young p...

  Bournefree is a monthly free newspaper packed with news, articles and coverage of the local arts scene and a very interesting read each month. 

My first interview about my book / play  with BBC Radio Tees's Gary Philipson. Had a great time recording my interview with Gary this morning, helping me promote my book / play The Boro's 37 minutes. We covered everything from Brass bands, Toad in the Hole, the romance of the past, politics, the importance of the arts, The Boro of course and the legacy of the play telling a very important story of the club and the town. Not least, of how many players chose to stay with the club and help to build a future.  https://vimeo.com/create/customize?hash=KQccJglXGy8oVB5iCzE&vid=805568947

 Even when it  means, a 1000 mile trip from the South coast. Not the best game of football you will ever see, but the right team won and three very useful points. The antics of Luton and the ref, gave the game a World Cup feel. Great to see Chuba continue his scoring streak and Matty back in the goals. Especially, as it looked like Matty had missed, the one chance we were gonna get!! Had very good crack with the guy next to me, who was there with his grandson. Who of course, couldn't watch the closing minutes, but screamed like the rest of us, when the winner went in.  My friend wished me all the best, see you next time, he said.  If only. 

Yes, we haven't seen our favourites at  The Riverside for a month,  but now they are back .                                             32 scenes.  27 characters.  15 Pop classics.   9 Football Chants.  6 goals.  2 Halves.  Just one team:  The BORO!!   Educational activities... KS 3 Geography/Research/Maths. KS3/4/Communication:  Music/Media Studies:  KS 3/4 EnglishLit/ Communication/ History/PE Plus memories, photographs and stories. Wh at more could you ask for? Ask nicely and you might just get!!