Drama school students planning performance in the woods

A Glasgow drama school has been encouraging its students to explore and understand the local environment.

Govan-based Loop Theatre Group, which works to break down individual barriers for people with learning disabilities, has been working with Forest School to learn about the city’s natural surroundings.

They have been meeting at Bishops Loch near Easterhouse where they are planning to create a performance based in the woods for schoolchildren and the local community.

Members of Loop are working on their own version of Robin Hood, called Rabbie Heed, which will incorporate the medieval history linked with the area.

Laura Edwards, artistic director, said: “We have been working with a lecturer at Glasgow Kelvin College who is involved in Forrest School.

“Loop decided to use some of the money that they raised from their Kiltwalk and invest it in Forrest School. We have now had three sessions and it is going really well.

“Saturday was about the environmental side of things, looking at nature and understanding more about it.

“We are working around Bishops Loch which is in the east end and in the greater Easterhouse area and it is fascinating as there is so much history there.”

So far between 13 and 16 people have taken part in the three Saturday sessions including ten participants and five members of staff or volunteers.

Laura added: “We are focusing on the greater Easterhouse area because there is that outdoor environment and it is really important that we as a community try and get everyone engaged in it.

“The plan is to create a work in progress in October as we have neither the funds or the time to make a full show but we will do something fun that will be available for local schools.

“It’s very exploratory and at this point it is just us exploring the environment so it is very important for the community to get a sense of what we are doing and what is in their local area.

“When people think about Easterhouse they think death, destruction and gangs but there is this beautiful wildlife, fascinating history and we want to give people a sense of their wonderful community in a very inclusive way.”

Yvonne Vaca Stillie, outreach and development officer, also said it was good to finally be able to meet the group in person again.

She explained: “What’s nice on top of all this is that it is the first session we have been able to do in person.

“It has been amazing seeing them all after a year and a half and the first session was almost overwhelming – it was like we had never been apart.

“Being able to do that in a natural environment and outdoors, we were able to take a moment and reflect in the nature as well. It is like a family.”

By local democracy reporter Catherine Hunter