How do you engage students with a serious topic like Sex and Relationships as well as improve their welsh language skills? The Welsh department at Ysgol Aberconwy came up with a solution: Cwmnir Fran Wen.
Cwmni'r Frân Wen, who just celebrated their 25th anniversary on the 17th November, provides theatre for children and young people of North West Wales. Funded by the Welsh Arts council, Conwy, Gwynedd and Mon councils they put on performances for various educational institutes at no cost to the schools.
On Tuesday, November 24th, about 50 Year 10, 12 and 13 students got to watch Cwmnir’s latest play about Sex and Relationships which followed the events of a teenage girl who got pregnant after a drunken night out. Although it was not a true story specific to one person, the events were based on the lives of five real young mums. However, this was more than just a performed story; students got the opportunity hot seat the two main characters in role, digging deep into their souls, their choices and the consequences.
The project itself took one year to research and commission before rehearsals even started. All their hard work paid off as the students responded positively to Cwmni'r Frân Wen. Student Abbie Davies commented that it was “really good. Very realistic.” It certainly provided food for thought and even the staff learnt some new facts.