Divided city by Theresa Breslin adapted by Martin Travers
Published by Methuen Drama
Review by Lesley Finlay
Theresa Breslin’s acclaimed novel was adapted for the stage by martin travers, and his script is now available as part of Methuen Drama’s useful series which includes handy teaching activities for English and drama teachers.
Divided City tells the story of how two young lads – one a fan of rangers, the other of Celtic – are drawn into a pact to help Kyoul, a young asylum seeker. Graham and Joe just want to play football and be chosen to play in a new city team but when Kyoul is attacked, they step in to help – and they find they have a tricky path to follow in an urban landscape divided by difference.
Martin Travers’ adaptation was premiered at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow in 2011 with a cast of 50 young people. This edition has been prepared by Travers, Breslin in conjunction with drama in education experts Paul Bunyan and Ruth Moore. They have created a series of practical activities that will help teachers explore some of the major issues and themes of the play with their students, as well as offering detailed schemes of work that use drama approaches to enhance analytical skills.
This is the latest in a series of critical scripts that includes a Christmas carol and the road, and one which will resonate with teenagers everywhere.