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Photo of Max Stafford-Clark and students using playing cards in a workshop. Workshops feature status games and other rehearsal techniques. Photo by Graham Brandon V&A/Theatre Museum

EDUCATION

OjO offers a lively and challenging education programme, including workshops, workpacks, resource material and post-show discussions. Click here to read feedback from teachers and students and here to join our mailing list.

CURRENT PRODUCTION/PROGRAMME

TESTING THE ECHO: The Play

Our current play is Testing the Echo by David Edgar - a fascinating look at citizenship, seen through the eyes of a group of characters preparing to become British citizens. David is one of the UK's foremost writers. Find out more.

We recommend Testing the Echo to students age 14+

Testing the Echo tours to Salisbury, The Hague, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Coventry, Guildford, Manchester, Oxford, Bury St Edmunds, London and Birmingham. Click here to find out more about Testing the Echo - including tour dates.

TESTING THE ECHO: Study Pack

Download our free TESTING THE ECHO RESOURCE PACK here. With study exercises, rehearsal room gossip, a detailed look at the themes and stories in the play and interviews with the creative team who brought it to the stage.

TESTING THE ECHO: Post-show discussions

Free post-show discussions will be held after the first performance at every tour venue, except for: Salisbury Playhouse, which will be held on Tuesday 22 Jan; and the Tricycle (London) TBC.

TESTING THE ECHO: Workshops

Workshops will be available to school and college groups (aged 16+, groups of 20) who see the show. Limited availability. Workshops cost £140 (plus travel expenses). For details or to arrange your workshop please email Rebecca Pilbeam or call on 0207 609 0207.

TESTING THE ECHO: Playtext

The published playtext (Nick Hern Books), including full programme material, will be available at a much reduced rate from early February, in theatres and from our shop.


OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD WORKSHOPS

We continue to offer limited workshops on OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD, a hugely popular workshop on Timberlake Wertenbaker's classic account of Australia's first theatre production: mounted in the late 1780s by convicts with their lives on the line. With particular emphasis on character study, status games and exploring the realities of life for the convicts of that era. These are led by actor Ian Redford who appeared in out of Joint's production.

A resource pack is also available - as is the playtext at a specially reduced rate from our shop. If you would like more information about Out of Joint's Education Programme, please email Rebecca Pilbeam or call on 0207 609 0207.


RESOURCES to read, download or order

OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD RESOURCE PACK

This extensive workpack provides a detailed insight into the historical context and living conditions of the time, as well as exercises including actioning and status games, points for discussion and technical and artistic details from OjO's original production. To request one please send a stamped (75p), addressed A4 envelope to Rebecca Pilbeam, Out of Joint, 7 Thane Works, Thane Villas, London N7 7NU with your full postal address - or order from the shop.

We sell the Methuen playtext of Our Country's Good, complete with background material and commentary, for just £4.99 (rrp 8.99). Visit our shop to order.

DUCK RESOURCE MATERIAL

Stella Feehily's sparky coming of age story about two Dublin girls on the verge of adulthood. A work-pack is available - to request one please To request one please send a stamped (50p), addressed A5 envelope to Rebecca Pilbeam, Out of Joint, 7 Thane Works, Thane Villas, London N7 7NU with your full postal address or visit the shop where the playtext is also available: shop.

DRUMMERS RESOURCE MATERIAL

Drummers is Simon Bennett's authentic tale of burglary and double-dealing. A work-pack is available - to request one please To request one please send a stamped (75p), addressed A4 envelope to Rebecca Pilbeam, Out of Joint, 7 Thane Works, Thane Villas, London N7 7NU with your full postal address or visit the shop where the playtext is also available: shop.

Feedback from teachers and students...

"Both workshops we’ve had from Out of Joint have been entirely relevant, well planned and well delivered. Money is short in our department so I have to be sure that what I buy in is of the highest quality and relevant for my students. It always is."
Teacher, 2006

"In my international Baccalaureate class we have looked at many kinds of rehearsal technique but nothing helped me understand theatre as much as working with you. With playing cards, improvisation and working with verbs, we all became much more aware of each other, of those little signals people send."
Student, 2006

"It’s good to know that there are still theatre companies who are questioning/challenging audiences about often politically sensitive issues and that these are made accessible and relevant to students of drama and theatre."
Teacher, 2006

"A very positive experience. Max worked the students hard and expected the highest standards - something that rarely happens. Thank you so much for the opportunity, it was appreciated by all"
Wellsway School 2003

"An honour and a privilege - and inspiration to my students"
Truro College 2003

"very useful and enjoyable" "productive and entertaining" "it helped to look at the play from a different perspective"
Students at Chaveldon School, Essex, 2003

"V impressed by 'down to earth' approach of workshop. Able to engage all students in a mixed ability group"
Staff at Marlborough School, Woodstock, 2003

"Very useful" "Brilliant!" "Bloody hard work..."
Students at Marlborough School, Woodstock, 2003

"Excellent - a unique experience that was thoroughly worthwhile"
CRS Lee, Felsted School

"entertaining, challenging and thought-provoking"
Steve Conway, Kings of Wessex Community School

"very useful and very entertaining"
Gwyneth Hadley, Benton Park School

"our Year 13 students were enthralled"
Debbie Hewett, Coulsdon College

"an inspiring day... we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and learned some great new techniques"
Student, Hertfordshire University

the students were inspired by the workshop. An excellent day."
Donna Savery, Strode College

"it was very valuable for staff and students – we hope you will return!"
Gill Lamden, Varndean College

"the whole workshop proved to be genuinely rewarding as it enhanced my understanding of the text. It also helped me to feel more confident about my views and opinions"
Hannah Otchere, Brighton and Hove High School

"the workshop reminded you of the sheer pleasure of theatre – a very big thankyou!"
Noreen Boylan, Lord Williams' School, Thame

"an amazing opportunity, thank you very much"
Student, Lord Williams' School, Thame

"they felt Max treated them as actors rather than students and although it made it harder, they loved that approach"
Debby Turner, Head of Drama, King Alfred School.

"…best workshop I've done…would love to work more closely with Out of Joint, and do further workshops"
Lesley Tyler, Head of Drama, Tunbridge Grammar School.