The Portuguese visual artist Paula Rego has inspired this new trilogy of
plays. Her paintings Crivelli's Garden, The Prey, and Breaking China
became the catalyst for writing by theatre maker Fiona Graham.
Commissioned by Theatre Centre and Komedia, these three new plays were
developed for specific audiences through a series of artist/audience
residencies and collaborations. These works have toured Britain and been
re-staged in Portugal and Singapore. Specifically commissioned for
children and young people. This anthology also contains useful teacher's
notes and colour images of the artworks mentioned.
Crivelli's Garden was created for a 16+ audience and explores rites of
passage as two young women decide whether they should stay or leave
their fishing village to go to university in Portugal.
Between Friends is for 7-11 year olds and examines the politics of
friendship between three young people when they are shipwrecked and
abandoned in a lighthouse.
Breaking China is for 4-8 year olds and shows the importance of creative
play and storytelling when making sense of change and adversity.