Drama School Brings Circus to Brunel Centre

A thousand Year 4 pupils will be able to take part in “The Secret, Staggering, Spectacular Circus of Storytellers” with members of the public invited to see the show on Monday 18, Wednesday 20 and Friday 22 June at 7pm.

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama returns to Swindon this month with a second theatre project based in the town. From 18 to 22 June, students from Central’s Drama, Applied Theatre and Education Course will present a free production created especially for Swindon’s primary schools.

Dr Gareth White said, “We are pleased and proud to be visiting Swindon again this summer, with another innovative show for local children. Getting a chance to take over a space like this is a fantastic opportunity for our students and something unique for audiences in Swindon.” Schools performances will take place twice daily within the Brunel Centre, in a large unit full of theatrical set, lighting, sound and a dazzling array of props and costumes. Jane Stewart, Deputy General Manager of The Brunel shopping centre added, "We are delighted to be able to help out and are transforming a great space within the centre into a theatre.  We're looking forward to welcoming the hundreds of young people who will be involved."

The £60,000 project is supported by Prime Theatre and by Swindon Borough Council who are providing free transport for all the schools. Cllr Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, said: “This is a fantastic project which will light up the Brunel Centre and create a real buzz of excitement among the Swindon school children that attend as well as passing shoppers. We are only too pleased to support the performance and I would encourage people to pop along to the Brunel Centre to catch a glimpse of what promises to be a hugely enjoyable show.”

Ben Buratta, the production’s director was born and raised in Swindon. He commented, “It’s a pleasure to be returning home with this talented cast of students. This is another exciting and adventurous project that will help the local community to see Swindon’s town centre in a new light.”

Members of the public aged 8 years and above wishing to see the free production can book tickets through www.eventbrite.co.uk by searching ‘The Secret, Staggering, Spectacular Circus’ or by calling Prime Theatre on 01793 614864.