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.
2009 Tour Dates
The 2009 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.
| Date | Area | Venues |
|---|---|---|
| 14th - 18th September | Sandwell | TBC |
| 21st - 25th September | Birmingham | TBC |
| 28th September - 2nd October | Birmingham | TBC |
| 5th - 9th October | Coventry | TBC |
| 12th - 16th October | Hereford & Worcestershire | TBC |
Please contact the WMATF if you want to put your school forward for the 'Arson About' experience.