Wasteland – the play about respecting planet Earth

With climate change being such an environmental challenge, there couldn’t be a better time to write a play about it, for children to perform.

Chris Schuman, teacher and Head of the Eco Committee at Elstree School, has written and composed ‘Wasteland’, which his Year 3s and 4s are performing this week.  Inspired by ‘Grow Your Own’, directed by Richard Laxton (released: 2007), it’s about a child called ‘Zeeco’, who tries to turn around a dystopian community by starting a simple allotment. It’s an uphill struggle at first, but with the help of some nearby talking animals and plants, his plan comes to fruition. Of course, there’s opposition from the baddie – Baron von Slick – who learns that there is oil under the allotment.

Greedily, the Baron wants to purchase this land, at any cost, even if it means poisoning the nearby stream and sending in his henchmen to trash the place. His behaviour shocks the local community, and they instantly spring into action.  They know that a decision is soon to be made on the future of the land.

‘Wasteland’ is both fun and thought-provoking, yet has an underlying serious message.  Whilst it aims to raise awareness of various eco issues,  its ultimate objective is to encourage people to want to love, and therefore respect, planet Earth.  

It’s not only inspired those involved in the play – Elstree’s Year 3 and 4s, their parents and the staff – but has also generated a lot of media interest.  An interview with That’s TV Hampshire has so far generated nearly 2,000 views on social media, and was broadcast in four other TV regions – Surrey, Solent, Salisbury and Thames Valley.  The Newbury Weekly News is also due to report on the play next week.

For those of you who didn’t get the chance to see the news report on Tuesday night, or would like to see it again, click here.