Whisper Me Happy Ever After
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Whisper Me Happy Ever After
Written by Julie McNamara & Face Front Inclusive Theatre.
Suitable For
Years 5 and 6.
Capacity
Up to 90 pupils per show, two shows per day.
About
Domestic abuse
The play follows a family experiencing domestic abuse and explores the effects on the mental health of children who witness it. The story is hard hitting but told with humour.
The audience share lots of practical and emotional thinking about what they could do in a similar situation.
After the theatre piece, pupils interact with the characters and consider what they could have done to get the help they needed and deserved.
Subsequently, pupils can talk to our counsellor and team members to discuss personal issues raised by the play.
Aims
- To improve the emotional health and wellbeing of people aged 9 - 11 years old and up to 19 in special schools.
- To develop strategies for dealing with violence in the home to increase resilience, reduce stress, improve general emotional wellbeing and school attendance.
- To raise awareness about domestic violence, teaching peer support skills and informing children about how to get help and support.
- To prevent future domestic abuse by confronting the emotional and legal consequences.
Duration
90 minutes, including the workshop, plus at least a further 30 minutes for audience members to disclose and discuss problems if they wish.
Space
A hall to perform the show and hall or meeting room/class room for disclosures following the play.
Resources
We provide a teacher’s pack of ideas and sign-posting information, a poster for the school and cards with information about help for all pupils.
Team
Six people – four actors, a facilitator and a qualified counsellor.
History
The show was developed in 2012 with more than 300 disabled and non-disabled children and young people, teachers, support groups and victims of domestic, abuse along with writer Julie McNamara and director Annie Smol.
The programme has toured across North and West London every year, reaching up to 3500 young people per tour.
Audience Responses
95% of children fed back strongly agreed or agreed that WMHEA is important for children to watch
88% of children fed back strongly agreed or agreed that WMHEA was right for their age group,
94% of teachers fed back that the programme was appropriate for years 5 & 6.
100% of teachers feedback that they would recommend the project to other schools.
Case Study
When C, a child, saw Face Front’s production about domestic abuse in her school, she was brave enough to come and talk to our counsellor afterwards. She explained about the living hell that she was experiencing and the violence she was witnessing and receiving. Her disclosure was immediately taken up with the school and the very next day, from the child she had been with stooped shoulders, flinching at the slightest thing, she was able to skip into school, having been given the support she needed and deserved.
‘I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, you literally saved my life. I never would have spoken out without seeing your play and knowing there were others like me.’
Audience Response
The response from pupils and teachers alike demonstrates the urgent need to tackle this issue.
Approximately 250+ young people during each tour make disclosures about their own problems at home and are helped by close liaison with school child protection officers, support groups and the Local authorities.
"On behalf of the entire Barham Primary School community, I wanted to extend our deepest gratitude to you and the Face Front Inclusive Theatre team for the incredibly insightful and thought-provoking performance and forum on domestic abuse.
The performance you delivered, portraying a family grappling with the complexities of domestic abuse, was both poignant and powerful. It managed to strike a delicate balance between humour and the stark realities of such a sensitive issue, leaving a lasting impact on our students.
Your workshop not only raised awareness about the issue of domestic abuse but also sparked important conversations among our pupils about the effects on the mental health of children who witness it. The interactive nature of the session encouraged active engagement, allowing students to reflect on what they could do if faced with a similar situation.
Moreover, the opportunity for our pupils to interact with the characters and explore alternative courses of action was invaluable. It provided them with practical insights and emotional support, empowering them to seek the help they need and deserve.
Following the workshop, our students had the opportunity to engage with your counsellor and team members to further discuss any personal issues raised by the play. This follow-up support was instrumental in ensuring that the impact of your workshop extended beyond the performance itself.
Once again, thank you for your dedication to raising awareness about such an important issue and for your commitment to empowering young minds. Your workshop has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on our school community, and we are immensely grateful for your partnership.
We look forward to the possibility of collaborating with you again in the future and I will definitely spread the word amongst my colleagues within my cluster.’
Natalie Dweh, Associate Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Leader, Barham Primary School
"… you for yesterday. We had great feedback and later on in the day, we had a disclosure made to our school ELSA and we are not supporting the child and the family. Thank you once again."
Francesca Dilley, Assistant Head, Emmanuel Primary School
"Thank you so much for the workshop and performance on Friday; we have had some fantastic feedback. I was wondering if it would be possible to book you in for next year?"
Sarah Crouchley, Year 6 Class Teacher, Northside Primary School
"The children really enjoyed the performances and it is such an important theme to cover. We will definitely be booking it again next year. I’ll email in the autumn term to arrange dates. Thanks again."
Mike Ford, Y5 & 6 Assistant Head, Kingsgate Primary School
"I am so pleased to have caught the last performance- which was superb, really. Please send my congrats to all the cast/team.
It is such a powerful piece of theatre and so important.
The cast delivered it in an engaging, funny and very moving way. The students were enthralled and entertained but also clearly they found it thought provoking. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall in their class rooms later. I am sure, like me, the production will stay with them forever.
I watched may of the students throughout the performance They were all completely engaged. We could see from their contribution in the workshop how motivated and passionate they felt about it. I must admit that their maturity and 'acceptance' in receiving such a difficult topic was impressive.
This can only be down to the delivery of the piece. It should be part of every school curriculum."
Siwan Thomas-Gibson, Trustee
"Thank you for the warm welcome at your performance yesterday. It was great to see you Ray and to meet you and the rest of the team, Sarah-Jane.
I was so impressed by the event on so many levels – the story, the acting, the invitations and encouragement for the children to engage and their willingness to step up and speak out. It was also good to see the cards and posters being shared as resources for those who may feel concerned or need support, as well as the opportunity to speak with the team at the end of the session.
This is such important work and so expertly delivered. Congratulations to you all and thanks again for inviting us to be there."
Julia Elmore, Member Development Officer, Young Barnet Foundation
