Flashpoint
What is Flashpoint?
A project run by the Royal Armouries museum for small groups of students from schools and communities near our sites in Leeds and Portsmouth.
What does it involve?
During the project students are asked to explore the subject of conflict resolution using discussion, role-play, character building technique and improvisation. The story of Romeo and Juliet is used as a resource to give high school students a basis of character and situation from which to launch their ideas while primary school children work on the story of Robin Hood.
Why Romeo and Juliet and Robin Hood?
- They are extremely well known stories, and therefore accessible to the participants
- They are universally known as an examples of conflict
- The issues raised by the stories are relevant to contemporary discussion, e.g. Peer pressure, bullying, family conflict, gang warfare, prejudice, crime, violence and all its consequences.
Stage Combat
Members of the Royal Armouries Interpretation Department work with students to lead workshops in basic stage combat. This raises interest in a new form of physical exercise, increases mental alertness and encourages physical discipline.
Citizenship
At the end of the project the issues raised and explored in the story of Romeo and Juliet or Robin Hood are used to inform discussion of more contemporary comparative issues.
