Author Language English Publication date 1987 Originally published 1987 Country United Kingdom | Cover artist Clare Webber Publisher Hutchinson Education ISBN 978-0-435-23301-3 OCLC 30777435 | |
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Characters Karen, Digga, Linda, Mrs Kay, Reilly, Susan, Carol, The Headmaster, Colin, Mr Briggs Similar Willy Russell plays, Other plays | ||
Our Day Out is a musical written by Willy Russell in 1977. It was written for a film which was broadcast by the BBC, and was later adapted into a musical.
Contents
Origins and development
The musical was developed from the 1977 BBC television play "Our Day Out" by Willy Russell. The original television version was developed into a musical for the stage with songs by Willy Russell, Chris Mellor, and Bob Eaton. This production, directed by Bob Eaton, was first performed at the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool in 1983.
In 2009, Willy rewrote the musical and updated to a more modern feeling. It premièred in the Royal Court Liverpool.
The latest performance of the updated version, was performed outside Liverpool at the Key Theatre in Peterborough on the 15–18 August 2012.
Synopsis
The musical is about students from an inner-city school in Liverpool who go on a trip to Conwy Castle in Wales. Mrs Kay teaches a class of illiterate pupils, called the "Progress Class". At the very last minute, the disciplinarian Deputy Headteacher, Mr Briggs, also joins.
Plot
The story is about Liverpool children in a Progress Class going on a school trip to Conwy Castle in Wales but they are very misbehaving students. Before they leave they buy sweets and the deputy head disciplinarian teacher, Mr Briggs joins and tells them they are no longer allowed to go to Alton towers, where they had originally planned to go. Instead they go to Wales. On the journey, they make some stops: at a petrol station, a zoo, the beach, Conway castle and a fun fair. They end up losing one of the children which causes havoc!
Analysis
The major themes in Our Day Out are the lack of education, lack of opportunity and deprivation in inner city Liverpool equaling unemployment and no money for education because of this. Willy Russell makes this point very clear to the audience by using characters that the level of deprivation is really effecting e.g. Carol- her lack of education is very obviously troubling her as she would like to get a good job, however is not bright enough to do so because of the lack of education.
Main characters
Teachers and Staff Mr Briggs Mrs Kay Katie Mark Jackie Reilly Carlene Digga Amy
Kids
Shopkeepers
Other Adults
Musical numbers
Act 1
Act 2
These plays are still being played in London, There is a considerate core in Russell's work that can best be seen in his charming and sympathetic presentation of life's losers, all of whom have an epic sense of their own importance.