Brokenville

Introduction

'Brokenville' can be used with students throughout the secondary age range. The fairytale elements of its content would appeal to younger students, while the richness of its symbolism offers students further up the school opportunities to explore different realms of dramatic writing and representation. The play explores social and psychological issues through an intricate tapestry of imagination, metaphor, subtle humour and, in places, some quite disturbing imagery. 'Brokenville' is an engaging read, tremendous fun to play out, and ends on a note of optimism and regeneration.

The activities suggested here encourage students to explore a dramatic text, with its particular codes and conventions, as a special sort of writing. Just as the play takes its characters through a series of stories through which they are able to build their own lost identities and form relationships with others, so the activities look at what stories are, how we construct and tell them, and why we have them in the first place.

Activities devised by Rosie Flint and Chris Lambert, with Andy Kempe.