Coney

Coney are interactive theatre-makers.

Coney creates games, adventures and play where people can choose to take a meaningful part. Their work takes place anywhere that people gather: in theatres, schools, museums, on the streets and online and always follows the principles of adventure, curiosity and loveliness.

The experience starts when you first hear about it, and only ends when you stop thinking and talking about it.

Coney makes play with ideas that resonate in the world around us: from the everyday to the extraordinary. Their work is inspired by the belief that the world can be magical place where ordinary people can do extraordinary things. Collaboration and dialogue are at the heart of how Coney makes work: with audiences, peers, partners, and a network of makers.

Fran is an Associate Artist of Coney and a regular contributor to their work as a writer, performer, and facilitator.

Arabian Nights

Writer and lead facilitator | Adventures in Learning

A magical project that casts Birmingham’s children as heroes in a quest to find the genie’s lost story and bring their own tales of Arabian Nights to life. Presented by Coney, Library of Birmingham and Birmingham Rep.

Arabian Nights aims to engage Year 3 – Year 5 pupils in an interactive narrative adventure that will develop their creative writing skills, increase digital literacy and empower them as artists. Taking place over 4 weeks, it uses live performance, email, storytelling and involve pupils creating work alongside professional artists.

“I was definitely enthusiastic and I felt that I was being led on the journey too. I was just as excited as the children when we received emails! Watching the children in the Rep was great! Many of the children were whispering to their friend and saying, that’s my part, I wrote that! They were very proud of themselves!”
Katie (teacher), Nansen Primary School

On a day like any other, the class begin to watch an unusually boring video on the history of concrete when a technical fault occurs- the screen pixelates and the face of a Genie appears, asking the pupils for help: once a major character in Arabian Nights, he has disappeared from modern versions and his very existence is at risk.

Speaking to the class via emails and video messages, the genie helps them discover the stories of Arabian Nights and embark on a journey to Library of Birmingham to discover the magical secret room where the ancient book was lost… Discovering that the pages have crumbled to dust, the children must create new stories about the genie, complete the book in their classroom and return it to the Library so the stories can be shared. With a sprinkle of magic, the genie thanks the class by having their stories performed by professional actors on stage at the REP theatre.

Adventures in Learning

Adventures in Learning are interactive stories that take place in the classroom to motivate formal learning. They’re made with all the attention to detail and artistic values that characterises Coney’s work for adults, but are constructed in close collaboration with teachers to create an engaging narrative framework within which learning can be delivered.

Fran has been working with Coney since 2009. She is a regular contributor to Coney’s Adventures in Learning, having worked on projects including Arabian Nights, Inspiration Days, A Cat Escapes, and Rhyme Rocket.

coneyhq.org/learning-participation

Inspiration Days

Performer and supporting writer | Adventures in Learning

From Greek Gods who have been evicted from Olympus to explorers with no sense of direction, primary classes face an unusual day at school when strange characters burst into the classroom with a big problem that only pupils can fix. A world of possibilities open up when fossils are discovered beneath the playground, a lady with a mysterious suitcase needs help unlocking the contents and Zeus strides into the school hall.

“The workshops that were tailor-made to fit our topics were both engaging and exciting for the children and adults! Coney made learning come to life and inspired every child…”  Jehan Morbi, Assistant Head at St Eugene de Mazenod Primary School, London

Adventures in Learning

coneyhq.org/learning-participation

A Cat Escapes

Performer and facilitator | Adventures in Learning

“The most exciting and motivating project I’ve done in 22 years of teaching.” 
Claire Lound, participating teacher at Furzedown Primary School

Jasmine the kitten has been cat-napped, and Varjak Paw himself contacts the class to ask for their urgent help.

Alone in a small room, Jasmine learns to type, and communicates with the pupils by email. Over six interactive episodes the class must work together to help Jasmine escape and find her way back to Varjak. A final twist in the narrative brings two live performers to the class to deliver a dramatic finale.

How can Jasmine design a structure that will allow her to see out of the window? What is the terrifying black ghost that follows her around? Can pupils distract the cat-nappers for long enough to allow Jasmine to escape?

Linking closely to the Key Stage 2 curriculum, A Cat Escapes is Coney’s flagship Adventure in Learning and has been enjoyed by more than 1,500 primary school pupils across the UK.

Based on the award-winning Varjak Paw novels by S. F. Said, the adventure casts pupils as heroes in an engrossing, responsive narrative that motivates them to learn.

Adventures in Learning

Fran is a regular contributor to Adventures in Learning, having worked on projects including Arabian Nights, Inspiration Days, A Cat Escapes, and Rhyme Rocket.

coneyhq.org/learning-participation