Novel is redemptive and pertinent says head after criticism

A SCHOOL has defended its decision to stage a production of ‘A Clockwork Orange’ amid concern that the notorious story is too grisly for youngsters.
Councillor Piers Wauchope, the leader of the Conservatives at the Town Hall, has criticised South Camden Community School in Somers Town for choosing Anthony Burgess’s tale of gang violence as the basis for a major drama project.
He says teachers could have easily picked a more suitable alternative.
The production, which features pupils across five age groups, is the first to be finished since the Charrington Street School was credited as an arts college and will be the inaugural show in the school’s new purpose-built theatre.
Tickets are already on sale for three shows next week, starting on Tuesday, an official press night with a question and answer session planned for afterwards.
Headteacher Rosemary Leeke said: “The play explores the ramifications of gang violence. It is present in the community, whether it is a real or perceived threat. It is a concern that young people have. The production has redemption and shows young people that they do have a choice.”
But controversy remains over the choice of play.
Cllr Wauchope said: “A lot of parents are going to be pretty upset to watch their 13 or 14-year-olds in a show like this. It is about the failure of the authorities to reform a rapist and a murderer.”
After the story was turned into a graphic, X-rated movie by legendary director Stanley Kubrick in 1971, the film-maker took the rare step of withdrawing his own work after copycat violence.
Cllr Wauchope added: “The book is very good. Everything has its merit but this is a tremendously violent and unpleasant tale.
“The film was withdrawn by Kubrick because people didn’t get its message. What they saw was the glamour of chaps dressed up in white codpieces and bowler hats and beating people up.
“There is a wealth of tremendously good drama available to the school. It seems curious that they have chosen this for their inaugural show.”
South Camden’s school production coincides with concerted efforts by the council and police to bust real-life gang violence in the south of the borough.
But staff are resolutely defending the project, insisting that their show is based on a play by Clockwork Orange writer Anthony Burgess and not Kubrick’s film.
A warning has been issued that Year Seven students (11-year-olds) should be accompanied by adults but Ms Leeke said violence was alluded to, rather than played out in graphic scenes of rape and murder.
She added: “The play looks violence in the eye.
“It is powerful education for the participants and the audience. I think there is an unfortunate association with the Kubrick film. The novel is a much misunderstood work. The film does not look at the redemption that is in the book. The school’s production does in no way glamourise violence. Instead it deals with serious issues. There is an incredibly powerful and positive message to it.”