Dramatic approach to alcohol for BCHS
Locally based theatre company Live Wire Productions performed a play for senior pupils at Buckie Community High School recently. The company was commissioned by the Grampian-wide Drinkwise Committee and funded through the national Drinkwise campaign to perform a drama about the problems associated with alcoholism.
The play will continue to be performed in community venues and secondary schools across Grampian throughout March 2002.
'Double Vision' is a factually-based, gritty drama, for young people and adults about alcohol related problems in the family and the effects of all of those involved.
The play, which was written by acclaimed local journalist Nicola Barry, and support worker Suzanne Kearney, is set in a police cell, and involves two central characters.
'Vivien' is the 35 year old daughter of two psychiatrists whose mother was an alcoholic. She meets 'Rosemary', a 25 year old with two unemployed alcoholic parents. They tell each other their life stories and how alcohol affected them.
Jennie Biggs, Alcohol Development Officer for Grampian Health Board, said: "Statistics from the Grampian Youth Lifestyle Survey 1998 show that young people are drinking greater quantities, more frequently than before.
"We are very grateful to Drinkwise for funding the play, and hope that the play will encourage adults and young people to discuss alcohol and how it can affect families."
The large number of students who attended the Buckie Community High School showing proved to be a lively audience, laughing at all the amusing lines.
The cast put on a quality performance and the contrast in voice between the well spoken middle class Vivien and the Glaswegian working class Rosemary was quite striking.
The set and lighting were simple, yet effective, as not to draw attention away from the all important lines.
A 'hot-seating' discussion took place at the end of the play, where pupils could ask the cast questions, whilst still in character.
This was an attempt to reaffirm issues dealt with during the play and to encourage the audience to think of personal responsibility.
Sixth year pupil Catherine Reid said: "The senior pupils found the production to be very informative and interesting and the question and answer session afterwards offered us a chance to find out more on the topic."
The drama's effectiveness will be evaluated through the results of a questionnaire, which pupils were invited to complete at the end of the performance.
Flyers detailing alcoholism help-lines were distributed to all pupils.
Banffshire Advertiser - Tuesday 26 th March 2002