Theatre Centre releases Birds and Bees for free to UK state schools

Theatre Centre has announced that Birds and Bees by Charlie Josephine will be available for free for UK state schools and will also be available to the public for streaming throughout March (8-28).

Birds and Bees was created for Theatre Centre as a blended learning resource suitable for Drama, English and RSE lessons with school years 10 and 11. 

Access to the recorded live performance was originally £490 for state schools. 

Directed by Theatre Centre’s artistic director Rob Watt, the play has been adapted for digital performance, featuring music and stylings from sound designer Xana. 

D&T reviewed Birds and Bees when it was first released, describing it as ‘unimaginably funny, achingly moving, brilliantly realistic.’ The schools package also includes 18 lesson plans (6 RSE, 6 Drama, 6 English).

Watt said: ‘Last year we embarked on making a show in extraordinary circumstances. Working in collaboration with exceptional freelance artists, teachers, and young people, we made Birds and Bees and are now super excited to make the show available for free to all state schools across the UK. 

‘We are also thrilled to be working in association with Soho Theatre to share the production with the public for a limited time.’

‘We always strive to be as useful as possible to schools and audiences, especially in this ever-complicated time, and continue to make work that is relevant, captivating and of a high quality.’

The cast of Birds and Bees is: Ike Bennett, Narisha Lawson, Ida Regan and EM Williams.

State schools should sign up for their free package here. 

The film will be available to view from 8 March at www.sohotheatreondemand.com