English Festival 2005 presents interactive theatrical performances in April
The first English Festival organised by the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) invites people to sign up for performances by the "Interacting" Theatre Company, the world-renowned interactive educational theatrical troupe, during its visit to Hong Kong in April this year.
"SCOLAR supports the use and learning of English in a fun and interactive way," a SCOLAR spokesperson said today (6 February). "In 'Interacting', everyone performs and the audience may become part of the cast by being called on to respond to the actors and actresses, or even join in acting on stage. It is a great opportunity for students to learn English in a fun and creative way."
These shows are part of "Interacting" in Hong Kong – a Theatrical Experience organised by the British Council for the English Festival. The audience will join the famous detectives, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, in investigating a theft in Scotland where they will engage in a deadly showdown with their longstanding adversary.
Two performances will be held at the British Council, and the Kowloon Technical School from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on 16 and 23 April respectively. Admission is free and on a first-come-first-served basis. Further information about the performances is available on the SCOLAR website at http://www.language-education.com.
Apart from the public shows, "Interacting" will also stage 40 performances in secondary schools in Hong Kong. Twenty workshops for secondary school English teachers will also be held from 12 to 27 April to help teachers learn how to use drama in the English language classroom.
"The British Council is delighted to welcome 'Interacting' back to Hong Kong, following their hugely successful tour in March 2004 in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong," Deputy Director of the British Council Andy Millburn said. "This time the actors will be visiting schools all over the territory, bringing an enjoyable learning experience to thousands of secondary school students."
"It is a core part of the British Council's mission to support initiatives to strengthen the learning and teaching of English wherever we work and we are therefore very pleased to be able to contribute to the English Festival 2005. We aim both to raise interest in English amongst the students and to contribute to teachers' professional development through the drama workshops. We want to show that English is not only about exams and access to future job opportunities, but also about cultural experience and enjoyment."
Based in Madrid, "Interacting" is an educational troupe formed in 1990 to provide a wide range of dynamic language training services and products. Their actors are trained to react to any given response by the audience and guide the story along to a humorous conclusion. The plot of their plays is filled with surprises and the audience is always carried away by the suspense. The language used in each performance is carefully chosen to fit the audience's command of the language so both beginners and the more advanced learners of English will enjoy the experience.
This is the second time for "Interacting" to visit Hong Kong, bringing their innovative education concept of combining English learning theatre shows and interactive teacher training. Their visit in March last year was very successful, bringing fun and education to more than 1 200 primary and secondary students. Five workshops were also held for 140 teachers.
Funded by the Language Fund, the English Festival aims at raising public interest in the learning and use of English through a variety of activities, ranging from drama performances and workshops, skipping competitions, television programmes, debating, poetry writing and word games. Festival activities are held between September 2004 and June 2005.
Established in 1996, SCOLAR advises the Government on language education issues and the use of the Language Fund.