OVERVIEW

• Playwright

  John McClelland 

• Notes

  This play is suitable for 8-11 year olds. It incorporates movement, rhythm and extensive sound effects and was written to support the teaching of 'Life in Victorian Times' at Key Stage 2 (UK curriculum).

• Synopsis

  Josiah Hudson, the local landowner, employs Sean Murray as a boatman on the river and his daughter Sarah as a farm girl. Their lives are peaceful and rural until the day when Mr. Hudson invites an English engineer to carry out a survey for building a bridge over the river to carry the new railway. Forging Ahead explores the effects of Victorian industrial development and technology, and the changes that were brought to the landscape and social conditions.

• Play Type

  Theatre for Young Audiences
  

  Number Of Acts

  Full-Length

Cast size

• Male

  3

• Female

  1

• Total

  4

• Cast Notes

  The play also requires a pre-recorded narrator's voice.

Original Production

• Date of First Production

  30 January 1997

• Producer

  Produced by Replay Theatre Company

• Venue Notes

  This play was first performed at Glengormley Primary School, Newtownabbey, as part of a tour to schools and venues.

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from the original production programme. Additional information was supplied by Replay Productions from information contained in the company files.