Real Friends (Schools Tour)
‘Real Friends’ is a schools touring show designed for year 5 and 6 pupils.
The project explores hate/mate crime, bullying, invisible disabilities and more.
We ask the question, "What is strength?"; and investigate the importance of knowing who you can trust, who are your 'real friends' and how you can do your best to be a good friend to people around you who need your friendship and support.
The play is interactive. We 'freeze the action' and the pupils have an opportunity to discuss what is happening in the scene. We then have live conversations about the issues raised so far. We then revisit and change the action, based on the pupil’s suggestions and observations. This technique is called forum theatre.
The performance runs for one hour, typically from 10am - 11am and is performed in the school hall.
Please scroll to the bottom of this page for additional detailed information.
Please contact info@brightsparkstheatre.com to book the show. Available dates for a schools visit 2026 (all Tuesdays):
Jan 13th
available
Jan 20th
available
Jan 27th
available
Feb 3rd
available
Feb 10th
available
Feb 24th
available
March 3rd
available
March 10th
available
March 17th
available
March 24th
available
March 31st
available
note: there are room for ten schools visits in this block of dates (thought there are eleven dates listed)
What is the Real Friends project?
Real Friends is an interactive performance piece about hate crime and mate crime, coercive bullying and disability awareness.
The performance lasts approximately 50 minutes, with 10 minutes for questions.
The majority of the cast is made up of a of adults with a combination of Learning Disabilities, Neurological Diversities (such as Autism) and Physical Disabilities.
The performance is also supported by a teacher’s resource pack, which can be used before and after our visit (the pack is available from the Bright Sparks website, via the ‘Documents’ tab).
What we need from you:
A ground-floor hall space with a power socket (for sound playback through our portable PA system). We will perform on-the-flat even if the hall has a raised stage.
12 chairs for use by our cast.
The hall should have a minimum performance space of 6m wide by 4m deep, with enough additional space for the audience. The pupils can sit on benches, mats or on the floor, or a combination of these, at your discretion.
Timings
The stage manager, Marc, will be the first to arrive. This will be around 8.30am. He will set up the sound equipment and arrange the chairs for the cast members. The rest of the team will arrive around 9.15am and set up the props and seats.
The performance will begin at 10am. Please have the class(es) queuing in the corridor a couple of minutes before 10pm. The performance will finish at 10.50am. The team will then have 10 minutes for questions from the audience, then clear the hall in time for lunch set-up (in the cases where we are performing in the dining hall).
Additional information:
All our equipment is PAT tested.
The majority of our support team are CRB checked and have at least level 1 safeguarding training.
