For primary and secondary schools.

Two variations of the play are available: one for P1-7, one for S1 & S2.
The secondary version has five different scenes to the primary version.

Andrew wins a competition as coolest dressed schoolboy in the country and is picked to design the new school uniform. However, much to his annoyance, he is paired up with Fred who is happy with whichever clothes keep him warm and has no interest in what brand they are.

Andrew and Fred go on a journey around the world to see how clothes are made and the conditions people work in to produce consumer goods for the west. They meet some of the kids who work in factories.

Andrew begins to feel embarrassed about the expensive clothes he wears. However they also discover that the bargain clothes that Fred wears are also manufactured in sweatshops. They are confused as to what to do next until they discover Fairtrade goods.

Outcomes

Throughout the performance the audience will learn that relatively simple decisions on which clothes they wear effect not only themselves and their parents’ bank balances but have drastic connotations for other children living thousands of miles away.

The play will explore responsibility at both local and global levels from pestering parents for designer gear to bullying in school to the hardships endured by children in the sweatshops of the third world.

The learning outcome for the characters in the play is a realisation that there is much more to the person than the clothes they wear. And that when the individual is released from the expensive exterior of designer labels and brands that the responsible citizen of the future can break through to the surface.

Recent quotes received from teachers after seeing a performance of ‘Brand New Andrew & Fair Trade Fred”:-

“It was great that the new curriculum was mentioned” P7 Teacher, Gourock PS, Inverclyde. 15/2/10

“All the pupils really enjoyed it - staff really enjoyed it too and were discussing how it linked with lots of relevent and educational issues. Very worthwhile”. P4 teacher, BlackwoodPS, South Lanarkshire .

‘The children loved the song’ - P3/4, Fort PS, Edinburgh 10/2/10

“I liked the way the entertainment part merged with the education. Very well done and easy to understand the implications of Fair Trade and the benefits of supporting it” . P4 teacher Law PS. North Berwick 23/2/10

“Excellent way to get the message across - we had a great discussion as a class after the show”. P6 Teacher, Rattray PS, Perth and Kinross. 19/2/10

Several important messages got across really clearly, but through a very entertaining medium. The fair trade message was especially clear”. P5 teacher. Arngask PS, Perth and Kinross. 18/2/10

‘I think the school pupil characters and their obsession with fashion were good fun and children could identify with them. Also teachers enjoyed the cheeky swipe at ‘A C for Ex’’ - P4/5 Teacher, St Aiden’s PS, North Lanarkshire

“The show was really good - a good mix of humour and an important message. You held the childrens’ attention very well. Hopscotch always manage to produce super shows time after time. A gold star!” P2 teacher, Balfron PS, Stirling. 3rd March 2010

“It was informative without being ‘preachy’ and funny enough to deliver a thoughtful message without doom and gloom”. P4 Teacher, Fort PS, Edinburgh 10/2/10

“Very up to date, kids enjoyed characters and found information easy to understand” - P5 Teacher. St Johns PS, Edinburgh. 25/2/10

“The acting was excellent and held their attention!” P6 Teacher, Braidbar PS, East Renfrewshire, 26/2/10

“A very worthwhile show which entertained as well as educated. Children were all engaged throughout”. P4 Teacher, St Aidens PS, North Lanarkshire

“thank your fantastic cast for two brilliant performances at our Fairtrade Days at New Lanark. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the show and it really made our event. Aynsley Gough 7/3/10. Education and Access Officer. New Lanark Trust.

“The show was fantastic. We also got lots of positive feedback from the children too. Great way to teach the children about fair trade”. P2/3 Teacher, Fort PS, Edinburgh.

“Thank you so much for putting on a fantastic performance. Very talented performers and well - pitched for audience. Fantastic!” . P5 teacher, Fort PS, Edinburgh.

Secondary school quotes:

“S1 very much enjoyed the performance also our depute head was very impressed. I think in a time of Curriculum for Excellence this is an excellent opportunity to work on an interdisciplinary project with major themes such as school uniform and bullying - ethos , and fairtrade - making informed and ethical choices”. Pamela Manley, Montrose Academy, History and Modern studies teacher

“The feedback from the pupils was overwhelmingly positive. Pass on my thanks to the cast who were great and friendly” F. James, PT Social Subjects, Kelso High School 16/3/10

‘Brand New Andrew & Fairtrade Fred’ was very entertaining and kept the kids enthralled.  What a fantastic experience for our young people.  We were very pleased with the production.  It covered a lot of ground.   Please inform the actors and the director that the play hit the target audience bang on ‘bullseye’; lots of food for thought and thoroughly entertaing to boot.  

The team that came today were 100% professional and gave a very high standard of performance;  a very creative choice of cast and they fully engaged our young people.  It is very pleasing as a Drama teacher, to see live theatre making such an impact with ‘the youth of today’.  We will be booking Hopscotch again as the standard of production was high”. Mr Derek Brockett. Lockerbie Academy. 19/4/10

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