THOSE Magic Beans, producers of this winter's York Barbican pantomime, have run a week of schools workshops as part of their education programme for Robin Hood And The Babes In The Wood.

Pupils from St Lawrence's CE Primary School, St Barnabas Primary School and Applefields Special School each enjoyed a full day's pantomime experience at the Barbican in July, while St Oswald's Primary School, Fulford, played host to producer Jamie Alexander Wilson and his team, as did Snappy’s Saturday Respite Care Club.

"Our schools programme is free to all schools, fully funded by us, and we're aiming to work with ten to 15 schools throughout the year, teaching children about the history and origins of panto, as well as performing skills," said Jamie. "We’ve been inundated with interest from schools, so we’re already hoping to expand the offer in the autumn schedule.

"Millthorpe School is our partner school for the year, receiving workshops for Year 7 and Year 8 pupils, master-class training projects for Year 10s and 11s and work placements on the panto for older students."

Phil Martinez, deputy head of St. Lawrence's, said: "The children had a very exciting day, full of acting and dancing and costumes and humour – just like a panto should be! Quite a few were so excited they told me they wanted to come and see Robin Hood when it's on, or audition – like local girl Beth Stevens successfully did for Maid Marian – to be in a panto in the future."

Applefields Special School teacher Claire Hopkinson was equally enthusiastic. "We took around 20 special needs pupils, aged 11 to 16. Jamie did a great job at getting to know the pupils and making the sessions lively, fun and totally inclusive. Pupils practised their own pantomime ghost scenes and quickly got the hang of panto language, such as ‘It’s behind you', which they found very funny," she said.

"They loved the experience of dancing on the big stage – a straightforward dance routine that everyone could follow. Finally, having the chance to act with Beth – the actual Maid Marian – was great and left some pupils feeling rather star struck! The day was really well organised and managed to engage all of our pupils who have a wide variety of needs."