AN alleged plot to Islamicise state schools is examined in a play which returns to Scotland next week following a hit run at 2018’s Edinburgh Fringe.
Trojan Horse draws upon more than 200 hours of interviews conducted with teachers, students, parents and governors in an attempt to uncover the truth behind headlines accusing “hardliners” of trying to impose religious extremism in schools in Alum Rock, an inner-city Birmingham suburb.
Taking its name from the UK Government’s 2014 inquiry into the supposed plot, the drama explores the impact of Prevent, the anti-radicalisation strategy, again in the news recently following revelations that police in England listed climate change protesters Extinction Rebellion among the extremist groups that should be reported to authorities.
Writers Matt Woodhead and Helen Monks (Raised By Wolves, Inside No. 9 and Upstart Crow) say their play, which won the Amnesty Freedom of Expression Award for its 2018 run at Summerhall, is intended to open up conversations around religion, education, “British values” and the roles and responsibilities of the media.
Far from dry, the energetic, entertaining production also illuminates how the Tory policy of freeing state schools from local authority accountability allowed the alleged plot to take root, as well as the consequences of branding a community as “extremist”.
“When we first started researching Trojan Horse, we thought we were going to be writing about something historic – an event that had happened in the past,” Monks and Woodhead said in a shared statement. “But it soon became clear that the trauma Trojan Horse caused has not left the city of Birmingham.
“So much is still left unresolved for the people it most affected. The play tells the story of what happened from multiple angles, using the real voices of the people involved, with the aim of giving the teachers and governors in Alum Rock the fair trial they never had.”
February 11 and 12, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, 8pm, £15, £5 to £10 concs; Tel: 0131 228 1404. www.traverse.co.uk; February 13 to 15, Tron Theatre, Glasgow, 7.45pm, £10 to £15. Tel: 0141 552 4267. www.tron.co.uk, www.lungtheatre.co.uk
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here