IRL: In Real Life – A Free Educational Theatre Programme for RCT Schools (Spring 2026)
Spectacle Theatre Ltd, in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil Educational Psychology Service, is excited to offer a free, day-long educational theatre programme for secondary schools across RCT.
Aiming to empower pupils with the tools to speak confidently about healthy relationships in today’s digital-world, IRL: In Real Life supports RCTCBC’s Strategic Plan for Wellbeing, and is closely aligned with the Curriculum for Wales’ four pillars.
What’s Included – At No Cost to Schools
- A 1-hour participatory play in English for learners in years 7, 8, or 9.
- Follow-up workshops exploring the play’s themes delivered bilingually
- Educational resources for continued classroom engagement
Programme Details
📅 23rd February – 26th March 2026
📍 Delivered in-school across RCT
🎟️ Booking opens NOW – places allocated on a first come, first served basis
👥 One class per day per school
How It Supports Your School
IRL directly supports the RCT Strategic Plan for Wellbeing (2022–2025) and the Curriculum for Wales.
✅ Supports Strategic Priority 4 – Enhancing learner and workforce wellbeing
✅ Promote healthy relationships and emotional literacy
✅ Explore the impact of social media, peer pressure, and stereotypes
✅ Create safe spaces for pupils to express and reflect
✅ Promote healthy relationships and emotional literacy
✅ Support whole-school approaches to wellbeing
About the Play – IRL: In Real Life
“Have you ever done something really, really stupid? Like somebody might actually die, or something?
Written by Paul Swift, IRL follows Jay, a teenager navigating online friendships, real-world consequences, and moral dilemmas. It’s a gripping, relatable story that opens up vital conversations around:
- Online safety
- Peer influence
- Discrimination and violence
- Gender and racial stereotyping
Jay is on his computer, talking to his friends online. He’s worried about Nevaeh, where she is, and whether Riley is going to do what he said he’s going to do… But who can he talk to? He’s not a grass, and surely Riley won’t touch her! And maybe Riley’s right, and those people deserve what’s coming to them.
Proven Impact
“Valuable, engaging, inclusive, enlightening, powerful.” – Teacher feedback from In The Dark Woods
Following Spectacle Theatre’s previous tour, In The Dark Woods, evaluation showed:
- Increased understanding of safe vs unsafe relationships
- Improved empathy and emotional expression
- Greater teacher confidence in discussing sensitive topics
- Strong alignment with PERMA wellbeing principles
Booking
Booking can be done online at [insert booking link here]
Before you book
🗓️Preferred date(s) for the visit (between 23rd February and the 26th March 2026)
📍 School name and address
👩🏫 Contact person (name, role, email, and phone number)
🚸 Year group, class, and class size (maximum one class per day)
ℹ️ Any specific needs or considerations (e.g. access requirements, safeguarding protocols, pupil support needs)
ℹ️ Confirmation of a suitable space for the performance and workshops that’s available (e.g. hall or large classroom)
📤Agreement to complete a short feedback form after the session to help us evaluate impact
Important Information
To help us deliver the best experience for your learners, please ensure that:
- a member of staff is present throughout the performance and workshop
- We can access to the performance space at least 30 minutes before the session begins
- You inform us in advance of any pupils who may require additional support or adjustments
Secure your place now.
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