A new play for RSA Academies

On the 18th July at 7pm, the RSA will be holding a gala performance of Transitions, a new play by award-winning playwright Lorna French at Birmingham Rep Theatre. The play, which has been specially commissioned by the RSA, will be performed by students from RSA Academy Tipton.

The play has been developed through a consultative process with students, teachers and other stakeholders across the RSA Family of Academies (RSAA).

Through the process of developing the play and by integrating stories, language and ideas drawn from the schools into its text, the play will help the RSAA Family to articulate a shared sense of purpose and distinctive identity. The play addresses the ways in which the students, teachers and institutions conceptualise success, and how they respond to the pressure of expectation.

We have worked closely with the Birmingham REP theatre to deliver support to the schools in order for them to bring to life the narrative drawn up by Lorna. The set has been designed by the REP’s in-house production team who will also be managing the lighting and tech, giving the RSAA students a chance to perform in a professional environment and allow them to experience what it takes to put on a show in a leading artistic venue. 

The performance will be followed by a facilitated discussion to explore the themes in the play. This will be designed to give the audience a chance to discuss how they feel the play relates to the vision, ethos and reality of the RSA Academies Family.

A panel made up of students, the play director, RSA Academy principals, and academy governors will be invited on stage to discuss their reactions to the play. We are very excitied for the show to come together and to enjoy an evening of entertainment!