Positive Stories for Negative Times is an international participatory project by Wonder Fools in association with the Traverse Theatre.

Welcome to Season 2, which is all about coming together, embarking on new processes and changing the way we think about theatre for young people. Wonder Fools have commissioned some of the UK’s most exciting voices to create new work for those between the ages of 6 and 25. Artists include Bryony Kimmings, Douglas Maxwell, Hannah Lavery, Debris Stevenson, The PappyShow, Wonder Fools and Traverse Young Writer Ellen Bannerman. The plays are written specifically for the times we are living in and will be free to participating groups from September 2021 — March 2021.

ABOUT THE PLAYS

Spyrates (Spies vs Pirates): Journey to the Forbidden Island by Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse
Ahoy, Agent! Are you team Spies? Or are you team Pirates? Come join the adventure and the search for the lost treasure! Ages 6+

At First I Was Afraid… (I Was Petrified!) by Douglas Maxwell
A fast-paced comedy-drama with loads of bright characters, big set pieces, twists and turns and a huge sing-a-long happy ending…oh, and a mad bit with a Fairy Godperson. Ages 11+

The Raven by Hannah Lavery
A play full of adventure and an exploration of what shapes and what divides us, exploring issues of blended families, bullying, overeating, depression and isolation. Ages 11+

Thanks for Nothing by The PappyShow
What are you thankful for? Not the big things. Not the deep things. What are the little, everyday things which give you moments of gratitude and joy? Ages 11+

Revolting by Bryony Kimmings
We are agents of the revolution. How do we revolt? How do we not get into trouble? Where do we get power and then how do we use it for good? Ages 13+

The Skirt by Ellen Bannerman
Based on Gogol’s short story, ‘The Nose’, this is an absurdist parable for the next generation of feminists. Ages 15+

Write to Rave by Debris Stevenson
A mash up of movement, music, poetry and lyrics. As funny and surreal as it is moving and political. Ages 18+

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Wonder Fools are inviting any group working with young people aged between 6 and 25 to get involved.

Sign-up is now closed, but please head over to positivestories.scot where you’ll be able to read more about the plays and sign up to take part. All participating groups will be sent their chosen script to perform rights-free, a handbook of exercises to help their group explore, perform and document the play, and given a pin on the map where they will be able to upload and share their final performance with other youth groups around the UK and beyond.

Groups can include youth theatres, schools, colleges or anyone working with young people in need of some creativity and connection. No theatre experience is necessary as the handbook provides a step-by-step guide through the process. The entire project is designed to work either live in the space, through blended learning or completely online.

Supported by Creative Scotland, Chance to Succeed, Foundation Scotland Response Recovery & Resilience Fund (RRR), Christina Mary Hendrie Trust, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust and the Inchyre Trust

Illustration by Molly Fairhurst, design by Orlando Lloyd.