This December, Catherine Wheels invite all P1 and P2 children in Scotland to attend screenings of White: The Film, from the comfort of their own classroom – whether that’s in the Shetland Isles or the Borders.
During the festive month, schools will be able to watch the specially-filmed production for 4-6 year olds at a time that suits them. Usually at this time of year, schools across the country would be getting excited for their Christmas trip to the theatre. Knowing that this won’t be possible in 2020, East Lothian theatre company Catherine Wheels have created a brand-new version of one of their most-loved shows.
More than just a filming of a theatre show, White: The Film has been crafted as a new experience in itself, by the creative team behind the original stage show. Gill Robertson directs, with creators Andy Manley (Black Beauty, Stick By Me) and Ian Cameron (The Voice Thief, The Secret Garden) playing beloved characters Cotton and Wrinkle. The film was created in October 2020, by D Fie Foe Productions in a COVID-secure closed set in East Lothian.
Gill Robertson, Director of White: The Film and Artistic Director of Catherine Wheels:
“We know how much children love visiting the theatre at Christmas, and we know how much audiences love White. 2020 marks 10 years since White the theatre show premiered and we had always planned to celebrate that in some way. 2020 has been such a difficult year for so many, it seemed fitting to find a way to share the joy and magic of White with young audiences in Scotland. White celebrates friendship, compassion, and embracing change – perfect messages for the times we live in.â€
Booking is now open for schools to view White: The Film, over a week of their choosing between 2 and 21 December. The film will be available at a rate of £100 per school via a private link to online streaming platforms YouTube and Vimeo. Participating schools will also receive a specially created resource and activity pack, including tickets and classroom decoration ideas, so children across the country can collectively enjoy the build-up to the screenings.
The company is delighted that they will also be able to offer all primary schools in their home region of East Lothian access to the film for free, thanks to generous support from Eve’s Foundation.
White: The Film is part of Theatre in Schools Scotland’s autumn programme. Theatre in Schools Scotland (TISS) is produced by Imaginate and the National Theatre of Scotland to support and develop the touring of theatre and dance performances to Scotland’s schools and nurseries. TiSS was initially developed as a three-year pilot project by Imaginate and National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, Starcatchers and Visible Fictions.
About White
White centres around two characters, Cotton and Wrinkle, two friends who look after the birdhouses and make sure the eggs stay safe. The world is bright, ordered and white. But high in the trees, all is not white. Colour appears. First red, then yellow, then blue. White is a playful, highly visual show for young children, and a perfect theatre experience to enjoy together.
The production was originally created in 2010, by theatre makers Andy Manley and Ian Cameron and directed by Catherine Wheels’ Artistic Director Gill Robertson. Since its premiere, White has toured around the globe, delighting over 100,000 audience members in Australia, Asia, Europe and North America and has won seven awards including a Critics Award for Theatre in Scotland for Best Show for Children & Young People and a TMA Theatre Award. Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, based at Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh, are Scotland’s most prolific and celebrated children’s theatre company, having toured 31 productions since their conception in 1999. As Catherine Wheels turn 20 in 2020 and at a time when we were planning to be on tour with White, we are delighted to be bringing some fun and play to schools across Scotland.
For more information on how to book White: The Film for your school, visit www.catherinewheels.co.uk/projects/white-the-film/ or email helen@catherinewheels.co.uk