THE Lyric Theatre in Belfast is to take one of its plays which aims to raise awareness of littering and plastic pollution to primary schools.
The five-week tour of 'A Walk is Not Just A Walk' by the theatre's creative learning department will visit more than 40 schools across 11 council areas.
The production, written by Jess Williams and Michael Beigel, highlights the environmental issues affecting life in Northern Ireland. Raising awareness of littering and plastic pollution, it aims to offer a fresh new approach to learning about the environment.
By bringing the theatre experience right into the classroom, the Lyric creative learning team support teachers aim to inspire primary-aged children with lively workshops related to their main stage productions.
Just recently a special performance of the play took place at the Lyric's Naughton Studio and was attended by Environment Minister Edwin Poots.
"Funding provided by my department has enabled production and delivery of this new theatre piece for Key Stage 2 pupils across Northern Ireland and provides a good example of DAERA undertaking a unique approach to behaviour change," he said.
"It is a powerful and entertaining performance delivering a positive behaviour change message to our children in relation to littering, recycling and single use plastics.
"Taking this piece of theatre to over 40 primary schools across Northern Ireland will ensure important environmental messages in respect of littering and recycling are delivered not only to the 3,000 plus school children the future guardians of our environment, but to a much wider audience when they carry that message home to their families and further afield."
Erin Hoey from the Lyric Theatre, added: "We are delighted to be partnering with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs again to deliver this exciting, environmental project to primary school audiences.
"This will be one of the creative learning department’s biggest educational ventures to date and we are looking forward to touring a newly devised piece which has such an important, topical message."
