Mary HamiltonSchool children have been planning for an environmental disaster to threaten Norwich as part of an upcoming art performance.Support Norwich on FacebookNorfolk and Norwich Festival official siteOfficial Norwich 2013 bid websiteMary Hamilton

School children have been planning for an environmental disaster to threaten Norwich as part of an upcoming art performance.

Students aged 13 and 14 from Flegg High School, in Martham, have been researching environmental disaster scenarios and imagining what actions need to be taken for public safety and public order.

Their work is part of a world premiere by theatre group Metis Arts, who will use it to create an interactive exhibit at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival where the audience are invited to become emergency planners.

Third Ring Out: Rehearsing the Future is set in 2033 when environmental disaster threatens the city, and the audience will pick and choose how to cope with the imminent threat.

Ruth Bullard, creative partnerships coordinator at Flegg High, said: 'It has been a fantastic experience for the children to work on something that's going to be real.

'It's a great learning experience to have their views and opinions considered equally with adults, and we're going to get as many of them as possible to see the finished piece so they can see how their ideas have been incorporated.

The students spent Wednesday in Norwich city centre taking photographs and video footage, and identifying rest centres and potential risk areas.

They interviewed members of the public and civic services, including the fire brigade, police, city council and tourism offices.

Ms Bullard said: 'One group went and spoke to a chocolate shop in Chapelfield to ask how they would cope with extremely hot summers, for instance.

'Others went to the police to find out how they would cope with food shortages.

'The students have really grown in confidence by talking to people they don't know and they have said to me they feel their thinking skills and their problem solving skills have improved.'

Christina Birt, head of creative learning at the Festival said: 'This is a fantastic example of how young people and artists can collaborate to be part of a professional process.

'The Flegg High School students have taken on a genuine role in the production of professional performance art.'

Third Ring Out: Rehearsing the Future by Metis Arts will be performed on Millennium Plain on May 13-16 at 11am, 1.30pm, 4.30pm and 7.00pm. Tickets cost �5.

For more information or to book tickets visit www.nnf.org.uk or call 01603 766400.

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