Manchester-based Hope Theatre Company is producing an innovative theatre-in-education project to support Exceeding Expectations in schools.

Lead by director Adam Zane, the play will be created using verbatim dialogue from Manchester schools and youth groups. Hope Theatre Company has recently begun the process of interviewing individuals as well as groups from Parrs Wood High School and North Manchester High School for Girls.

The recorded interviews will then be transcribed and used as the basis for the theatre piece. Verbatim Theatre has been used to great effect in plays such as - ‘The Laramie Project’ and ‘My Name is Rachel Corrie’. Director Adam Zane says, “This style of theatre really offers the audience a chance to find the truth of a character or a situation.

”The theatre project is designed to highlight the true experiences of young gay and straight people in Manchester today.”

The play will be previewed at a Showcase event in May, with a tour of Manchester schools later in the year.

Adam is keen to involve more schools in the process of creating the play and would like to invite staff and pupils to contact him via email: exceedingexpectations@lgf.org.uk