Spectacle Theatre Ltd, in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC’s 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 aligns 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 workshop exploring the play’s themes, delivered bilingually.
- Educational resources for continued classroom engagement.
Key Info
- 📅 Availability: 23 February – 26 March 2026
- 📍 Location: Delivered in secondary schools across RCT
- 🎟️ Booking Details: 20 places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- 🔗 Booking Link: Secure your booking now
- 👥 Limitations: One class per day/per school, Years 7, 8, & 9
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
✅ Promotes healthy relationships and emotional literacy
✅ Explores the impact of social media, peer pressure, and stereotypes
✅ Creates safe spaces for pupils to express and reflect
✅ Supports 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. You can find out more about the development of the play, from the reflections of Meghan, who joined us on work experience, and sat in on some writing sessions, and wrote about it here.
Proven Impact
“Valuable, engaging, inclusive, enlightening, powerful.”
– Teacher feedback from In The Dark Woods
- 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, here.
Before you book
Before you book, please ensure that you are able to take your chosen class off-timetable on your chosen date(s) – between the 23rd of February and 26th of March 2026. In addition to 3 days when your class is available, you will need the following information to hand to book:
- 📍 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 that a suitable space for the performance and workshops (e.g. hall or large classroom)
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 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.
