Red Ladder Theatre Company

Grace Cunnington

This fortnight we’re offering you another snippet of all that’s been going on with the Global Justice Project. If you missed it, see Grace’s blog of 24^th May and the Global Justice Project pages of the website for an introduction to what it’s all about.

The last school to experience the Global Justice workshops was Allerton High in Leeds. A packed day of delivering the workshops three times over to the whole sixth form left Rod and Grace buzzing.

For me personally, one of the best aspects of the Global Justice Project is that students who are usually burdened with labels such as ‘underachieving’ and ‘challenging’ at school absolutely thrive in the workshops. I’m not sure whether it’s completely delightful, or slightly worrying to see young people relish the opportunity to be able to argue, disagree and to challenge adults in an environment where they can really feel heard. It’s delightful as it shows that the project really works, but it’s worrying as it also shows that this is clearly lacking in the rest of their lives. With over-worked teachers, stressed out parents and carers and a lack of positive leaders, all in a society where there are a millions things to do before we actually take the time to communicate with each other, it’s not really surprising that this is the case!

 Rod finds it fascinating to see how young people respond to the realisation that we are at the bottom of the pile in terms of wealth; ‘With 80% of the world’s population sharing 23% of the total wealth, it’s no wonder that we are made to feel that financial resources are running short. The answer doesn’t lie with asylum seekers or illegal immigrants or foreign aid efforts, as the media would have us believe, but with the greedy 20% who oppress us all and enjoy 77% of the wealth. We are made to believe that wealth and status are the most important things, but The Global Justice Project helps young people to truly understand their place in the world; and what they can do about it’.

Another significant development for the Global Justice Project has been taking on Duncan Marwick, who directed ‘Bittersweet Sunshine’. Duncan has now joined forces with Grace Cunnington and become another ‘Global Justice Advocate’ for Red Ladder. Here he explains how it came about and his journey with Red Ladder so far:

“I was chatting to Grace at and before I knew it Rod was asking me in for a chat. It appeared out of nowhere and all of a suddenly I was directing a play. It all came together really strangely, but just happened to be perfect. I’m interested in Red Ladder as they also believe that there is more to theatre than just ‘doing a play’. I just love making work; whether that’s a play, or a bunch of workshops, I’m just interested in creating things. I’m interested to see what affect the global justice workshops have on the people we’re doing them with short-term and long-term; and gauging the reaction. To see how their reaction helps us evolve what we’re doing.

Empowerment is at the core of the work. They need to take control. It’s not about us just telling them, it’s about them getting the information and feeling that they can do something about it. It’s fine for them to disagree with us, they just need to feel they can take action either way. Young people are so disempowered because folk tell them what to think all the time.”

Grace and Duncan are now looking forward to embarking on a Global Justice tour with ‘Ugly’, and joining Cape UK to work with schools under ‘creative partnerships’ from September. We’re sure a Global Justice workshop will be inspiring, engaging and empowering a group of young people near you soon!