QUACKERSNACKS PROJECT, April 2005

In response to a request from St Albans Leisure Services, Tour De Force submitted a proposal to work with a group of primary school students on an open air public performance at the Verulamium Park in St Albans, dealing with environmental issues. The result was a performance of Quacksnacks, and a recording of the performance is available from the Tour De Force office.

Nicola Paddick, Leisure Development Officer (Arts) for Hertfordshire Community Services, writes…

St Albans City and District Council recently appointed Peter Joucla of Tour de Force to develop and run a project with a class of primary school children from one of our local schools. The aim of the project was to educate the children through drama workshops about environmental issues in one of our major parks and to develop with them a short play to be performed in the park.

Peter and his colleague delivered three workshops with the children and their class teacher over a period of three weeks. They then supported the children to stage an excellent public performance in the park.

I found Peter Joucla and his team to be very thorough in their research and preparation for the workshops. They have very good skills in working in an educational setting, being both firm and patient with the children. They were not prescriptive in terms of content of the play, but kept in mind the council’s aim for the project at all times.

Peter is hardworking and reliable and I would not hesitate to appoint him and his company again.