The Moon Dragon
A stimulating new production by the writer of 'Home Front', 'The Music Box Maker' and 'The Black Oak'.
Inspired by Ted Hughes' 'The Iron Man' published by Faber & Faber Ltd.
Introduction
Education Pack Introduction
Children today are bombarded with images and reports of human conflict and war. Through news, television, films and computer games young people hear and see the horror stories of aggression and violence. This must be very dispiriting for them as they face the future in an uncertain world.
At the end of Ted Hughes' story The Iron Man the author reveals a world of peace maintained by the mythical character of a dragon – the space-bat-angel dragon. This character becomes the Moon Dragon in Philip Michell’s latest piece for Gwent Theatre. In a violent world a young girl takes an imaginative and optimistic journey into the realm of fantasy in a search for peace and reconciliation. The young audience will travel with Rain on a venture of understanding and tolerance which exposes the follies of prejudice and ignorance.
This pack contains practical suggestions for the classroom and materials that will stimulate our audience members both before and after seeing the play. There is a full scheme of work based on The Iron Man which can be used a starting point or even as a separate adjunct for use when reading the book. A knowledge of this text is by no means a pre-requisite for seeing The Moon Dragon which stands alone as a theatre piece.
It is hoped that a performance of the play at your school will afford young people the opportunity to face the problems we as a society face in a positive and life-affirming way.
Paul Gibbins
Education Officer
Gwent Theatre
November 2007