Panto (with a difference) in Southend

Imagine the scenario.

Perfectly normal Year 6 children suddenly begin to behave strangely when a new mobile phone network hits the streets.

For example, walking straight out into roads and even across motorways - their safety is at risk when texting or talking on the phone! Is it just them or have they really been taken over by the evil Dr. Hangup as part of his plan to control the world?

And can superhero Callman save the day and show the children how to use their phones safely near the roads?

This is the backdrop to a drama presentation that recently toured Shoeburyness and Southend schools. The play, Immobile 3 – Have You Got The Message Yet?, is written and performed by A Level students from Shoeburyness High School and the project is a joint effort between the school and Southend Borough Council’s road safety team. The play is the third in a series of annual presentations involving drama students in the Borough.

"Mobile phone ownership among children has increased considerably in the past few years," said Southend RSO Keith Gammon. "While there are many advantages of mobile ownership we have identified an increasing problem involving children walking into roads while texting or talking.

"In response to our concerns we commissioned the A Level performing arts group at Southend College to produce a play, Immobile, that toured secondary schools in 2000," Keith added. "Last year we decided to target Year 6 as the ownership rate had moved down a year and Eastwood High School’s GCSE group produced Immobile 2.

"This year, Shoebury High School’s A Level drama students have taken up the challenge and produced Immobile 3. The play has an exciting pantomime style storyline and lasts about 45 minutes."

The students performing the play also have an incentive as their work counts towards their A Level drama coursework.

Further information about the story can be obtained from Keith Gammon, Keithgammon@southend.gov.uk