Burning issue of arson in Angmering School drama

Stopwatch Theatre Company's production of Arson About highlighted the dangers of fire by telling the story of a typical incident in a school, which ultimately ends in tragedy.

The drama showed Ian, his girlfriend Molly and his best mate Stueey on a night out at the fair. But hanging over the two boys is the accusation that one of them has been sending threatening notes to a teacher.

They decide to go into their school after evening classes have finished to investigate, but when Ian has to make a choice between his girlfriend and his best mate, he is literally playing with fire. His wrong decision causes Molly's death and widespread destruction of the school.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the consequences for Molly's family, and the boys themselves made grim watching.

After the play, workshop sessions led by Stopwatch gave the students an opportunity to learn more about the problem of arson and work out the issues involved in the play, with Ian and Stueey questioned by the audience over why they behaved as they did.

Martin Lury, the school's head of year 8, said: "StopWatch Theatre Company entertained and educated a captivated audience of year 8 students, who learnt about the dangers and perils of playing with fire.

"The lively presentation clearly got the message across and students left the assembly uplifted by the experience."

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