A filmed live performance of Cookies by Emily Jenkins

The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust (Masterclass) in partnership with the Pureland Foundation and children’s charity Kidscape are delighted to announce that during Anti-Bullying Week 2017 (w/c 13 November), a filmed live performance of Cookies by Emily Jenkins will be available to stream directly from the Masterclass website.

Filmed by London-based video agency, Kinura, the film will accompany free PSHE and Drama resource packs which include professional advice from Kidscape, easy-to-follow exercises and over 30 extensive theatre-based, written and creative activities that align with the PSHE Association and AQA A-level and GCSE Drama national curriculum.

Masterclass and Kidscape have spent over a year working with 16 to 19 year old students from varying areas of study, collating and exploring exciting, fresh material through diverse and successful workshops. As such, the resources will help teachers cover various topics within the curriculum using drama-based creative activities.

Blayne George, Programme Director at Masterclass said:

“By using Cookies in the classroom, teachers will be able to encourage students to tackle the serious threats that young people face online and enrich their educational experience. The play can be used as a creative and engaging device to nurture important conversations with students from Key Stage 4 and 5. It provides an opportunity for discussion, encouraging young people to have the confidence to voice any concerns at a time when they are, arguably, at their most vulnerable.”

Cookies played the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 29 October for two performances only and was commissioned as part of the Cyberscene Project; an inspirational theatre initiative which supports the health and wellbeing of young people affected by cyber bullying and other online issues. Cyberscene was created by Masterclass in partnership with the Pureland Foundation and children’s charity Kidscape.

Bruno Wang, Founder, Pureland Foundation commented:

“We are delighted to partner with Cyberscene and to champion its important work to support and empower young people affected by cyber bullying. This innovative initiative from Masterclass mirrors Pureland Foundation’s commitment to promote social and emotional wellness, in particular working with the creative arts to engage and inform audiences. Cyberbullying is an issue affecting not only children and teenagers but also adults. It is very rewarding for all involved that teachers across the country will be able to use Cookies in their classrooms to stimulate dialogue with students on this key issue of our time.”

Through a series of theatre based workshops, the project has explored key concerns and issues facing young people in today’s digital landscape, having collaborated with 120 students across four London Colleges.

Written with young people, for young people, Cookies is an exciting method of educating and engaging young students in a pertinent subject matter. Directed by Olivier Award nominee Anna Ledwich, the play is inspired by true, heartfelt online stories of students and follows seven teenagers dealing with the effects of sexting, radicalisation, cyber bullying and our wider digital world

The project has been delivered under the artistic guidance of renowned British theatre director, Jonathan Church CBE.

Watch the filmed version of Cookies and access our free education resources

Contact Details

Josh Brown, Press and Marketing Manager
Telephone: 0207 389 9662
Email: josh@masterclass.org.uk