Written by We Teach Drama's Lucy Bellingham, this stash of resources is a brilliant accompaniment to the vibrant new West End production of Back to the Future. Packed full of lesson objectives, practical worksheets, activities and video interviews with members of the production about the creative process, the resource helpfully links each resource to the corresponding tick-point on the drama curriculum.
The packs are split into a range of different sections: context, pre-show materials, post-show materials, a live performance review notebook for students and an outline of the careers and roles involved in the production. In addition to these, there is also a pack on the cautionary tale that the show tells – the message that failure sometimes happens before success. Each pack is extremely useful for teachers and has clearly been made by a teacher who knows what is useful in the drama classroom. Free to download from the Back to the Future: The Musical website, each section comes with full lesson plans and downloadable pre-made PowerPoint slides.
More than that, the documents are consistent and well presented. Each suggested activity as a small digital stopwatch (just like the one Marty grabs from the time machine) detailing how long should be spent on it – an addition well within the theme of the show. The resource is clear and easy to use, with a lovely use of graphics, images and colour that stop things from feeling stale. While the lesson suggestions aren't ground-breaking, they are realistic and cover all the bases you would want when looking at the show. This includes the development of the characters over time, the transition between screen and stage, musical themes, technical elements, careers in theatre and more.
I was also lucky enough to watch the show itself – an experience I would highly recommend for any students interested in set design and lighting. While the acting, plot and music was to be commended, the highlights of the show were firmly based in its technical prowess. Complicated scene changes and complex set choreography were peppered throughout the show, with an unmissable flying DeLorean that would surprise the most cynical of audience members. Despite the story being more popular with older generations, and the original films having a rather ‘vintage’ appeal to school students, the story still packs the same punch with those new and old.
In conclusion, Back to the Future appears to be an unexpectedly brilliant option for your next school trip. Alongside this pack of free resources, the show is a great case study to unpick in the classroom.