Arson About
Arson About by Mark Wheeller is a play which aims to deter arson attacks and is performed by Stopwatch Theatre. School buildings are at risk from arson, and the play describes a typical incident which culminates in tragedy. The complete package lasts 75 minutes and is targeted at Year 8.
Since its launch in February 2005, Arson About has already been used by 16 of England's 46 Fire and Rescue Services. An evaluation by Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service concluded that:
Overall, the increase in the young persons' knowledge about arson, its causes and consequences between the pre- and post- surveys was statistically significant.
Arson About Video
The Play and Workshop
Ian, his girlfriend Molly and his best mate Stueey are on a night out to the fair. But hanging over the 2 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. Who will he choose and what will be the consequences of the teenagers "just arsing about"?
Arson About is provided FREE to schools by the WMATF and Crime Reduction partners and is a 75 minute theatre-in-education programme for Year 8 students, comprising a 45 minute play and a 30 minute workshop and is performed at school so no transport costs.
The workshop explains:
- What arson is and why it is a problem
- What are the consequences for perpetrators
- What are the consequences for victims and the community
The play demonstrates that "a bit of fun" with fire can easily escalate into a tragedy. The workshop develops the audiences understanding of the crime of arson and why it is such a problem, and looks at the consequences on victims, perpetrators and the community at large.
The WMATF and partners are proud to announce we have arranged two one-week tours of Arson About, the first presentations in the West Midlands.
2008 Tour Dates
The 2008 tour is being managed with our partners in the West Midlands Arson Reduction Team with shows at secondary schools all over the West Midlands region.
This year there will be two simultaneous tours over a six-week period, performed by two different teams.
| Team | Date | Area | Venues |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 9th - 13th June | Staffordshire | TBC |
| B | 9th - 13th June | Solihull | TBC |
| A | 16th - 20th June | Walsall | TBC |
| B | 16th - 20th June | Wolverhampton | TBC |
| A | 23rd - 27th June | Hereford & Worcester | TBC |
| B | 23rd - 27th June | Birmingham | TBC |
| A | 30th June - 4th July | Warwickshire | TBC |
| B | 30th June - 4th July | Birmingham | TBC |
| A | 7th - 11th July | Shropshire | TBC |
| B | 7th - 11th July | Shropshire | TBC |
| A | 14th - 18th July | Dudley | TBC |
| B | 14th - 18th July | Coventry | TBC |
We will post detailed information as the venues are confirmed. Please contact the WMATF if you want to put your school forward for the 'Arson About' experience.