Students from The Commonweal School recently had the opportunity to work with theatrical professionals Lizzie Hopley director, and Sarah Chew the writer and actress of Pramface. This one woman show is a hard hitting response to a culture where it is considered acceptable, even witty, to denigrate working class women, and where gossip magazines give a potent message to young women that there value is based entirely on their beauty and their social status. This is a darkly comic satire play on social racism and celebrity fixation which highlights social issues relating to IT girls, blingers and chavs.

Pramface (n) A face more suited to pushing a pram round a housing estate.

Commonweal students enjoyed a thought provoking workshop which explored modern stereotypes and creative plot devising prior to watching the performance at the Arts Centre. Commented Sarah Chew “I work all over the world and the students at Commonweal were a lovely and enthusiastic group who were completely engaged. I love working with young people, they are inspiring in the creation of my own work.”

Commented Jasmine Pells, age 14, a Commonweal student. “It was great working with Lizzie and Sarah, they really bought the best out of us. The workshop was interesting and has boosted my confidence in drama”

Commented Sophie Nye, age 13, a Commonweal student. “I enjoyed working with professionals and it will definitely help me with my GCSE work.”