Bracknell

Pupils at Ranelagh School in Bracknell are preparing for an innovative arts project which will explore local, national and global issues around waste and recycling.

The project will combine improvisation, visual arts, performing arts and digital technology in both music and film for a series of performances at South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell - who have supported the project by providing space for rehearsals. Ranelagh is a specialist school for visual arts and business enterprise and both creativity and enterprise are important elements of the school.

The Junk Story 2 project has been sponsored by the Bracknell Forest Borough Council waste and recycling team through its waste performance and efficiency grant, RE3 Ltd, SITA , 3M, Fernhill coaches as well as Ranelagh School. It will be performed to year six children from across the borough, before a gala performance for members of the public and special guests on Saturday, February 3.

Pupils will be using objects found at the Longshot Lane civic amenity site to create sound and images, which will be digitally enhanced and will be integrated into dance sequences as well as providing visuals for the back projection of the stage set.

An installation artist will also be working with pupils to create art which can be incorporated in the set design. Included in the back projection for the set design will be a short film which includes memories from elderly people who live in Jubilee Court in Bracknell and a short animation will aim to capture the interest of young people.

The original Junk Story was performed three years ago. It was supported by the Arts Council and Oracle UK, and also involved artists in residence working with sixth form pupils.

Annie Edmunds, Ranelagh School’s Director of Visual Arts, said: "Junk Story 2 is an innovative way to make children and young people engage with the arts, while educating about the modern challenges surrounding waste and recycling at the same time.

"This project has been designed to involve people from across the community and is on an issue which has a major impact on modern life.”

Cllr Peter North, Executive Member for Bracknell Public Protection and Services, said: "I missed this first time around but I know it got rave reviews. I am really looking forward to seeing it this time around. Junk Story 2 will be a fascinating insight on waste and recycling, expressed through different arts.

”As well as being a highly entertaining show, it is designed to make us all think about how we play our part in reducing the impact we have on our environment.”

To order tickets, call Ranelagh School on 01344 421233 or study@ranelagh.bracknell-forest.sch.uk

Bracknell Forest Borough Council