Glasgow pupils targeted by racists turn story into play

It is somewhere in Glasgow, sometime in the future and some children discover they have to travel back in time to 2022 to make sure a certain series of books is published.

Without those books in the world, the consequences will be severe. Community, friendship and even equality itself are at risk.

This is the thrilling story behind We Can Be Heroes, a play based on a collection of short stories written by children at a primary school on the Southside of Glasgow when they discovered of all the books in their library, fewer than 5% featured diverse characters, protagonists or heroes.

One of the young authors, Iggy Bazie (Image: Mark Gibson/Newsquest)

This play, performed by St Albert’s Primary in Pollokshields at Tramway on Wednesday (May 24) for parents and the local community, is about something much bigger, however, as headteacher Clare Harker explains.

“We’re turning what happened to us into a positive,” she says. “We had to think very carefully about putting our children out there, but this is about staying visible. We won’t be silenced.”

After photos of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon visiting St Albert’s last October appeared online, racist trolls targeted pupils and parents online with vile comments, and in person, shouting abuse outside the school gates.

Nicola Sturgeon visited the school last October (Image: Colin Mearns)

The online furore which followed whipped up national headlines and caused widespread outrage.

“It’s been a tough few months,” adds Clare. “But while what happened in October was very public, it wasn’t a one-off. We had a racist tweet just as recently as the weekend. It doesn’t stop.

“That’s why we decided to do the play. If we had just weathered the storm and given the impression it had been a one-off and everything was back to normal, we’d have learned nothing. So we speak out, loud and proud and the show is part of that."

The school won a Glasgow Times Community Champion award for its work to end discrimination and prejudice.

Now, pupils, parents and staff are delighted the summer show has been a success.

“Rather than do a traditional summer show, we decided to adapt the books which were all written by the pupils in P5 to P7, with some help from some amazing writers," adds Clare. "We’ve added music and some well-known songs, and it’s really emotional.”

Some of the pupils with the books they wrote. (Image: Colin Mearns)

The school has held a long commitment to promoting the arts and encouraging pupils to consider a career in the creative industries.

“People of colour are under-represented in the creative arts, we know that’s a fact,” says Clare. “And not just people of colour, but those who are not that wealthy, those who have barriers to learning, those with disabilities. We have always worked hard at St Albert’s to highlight the arts and the creative industries as career options for our children, to try and make those careers more accessible.”

She adds, smiling: “I’m really proud of the pupils and so delighted for them.”

READ MORE ABOUT ST ALBERT'S: School targeted by online racists wins community award

At Tramway just before the show, the pupils were excitedly preparing to take to the stage.

Aamira, who is in P6, said: “I feel amazing to be in a show at Tramway. My favourite part is showing the community how diverse we are with scenes such as our Eid party.

“This has made me want to be an actor when I am older.”

Fellow P6 pupil Zainab added: “I am loving being in this show because it is so much fun and other schools don’t get to use a professional stage.”

Friends and P7 pupils Aisha and Sophie were over the moon to have a role in the show.

“I feel very privileged to be in a diverse school where we get to show off our talents,” said Aisha.

Teachers Becki Burns and Alexis Pattie produced the show.

Becki Burns, left and Alexis Pattie (Image: Mark Gibson/Newsquest)

Becki said: “It’s been emotional – there are scenes in the play about equality, female empowerment, race and religion - there is a lot going on. It’s full of music and dance and great fun.

“For the kids to be able to do this in a professional theatre has been fantastic – how many 10-year-olds get the chance to act on a real stage, with proper lighting and sound and everything that goes with a full production? Tramway have been amazing.”

In the venue, if there are nerves, the talented cast of We Can Be Heroes are doing a good job of hiding them.

“They feel quite powerful,” says Becki, slowly. “All through the very public events of last October, we reminded them it’s important to stand up for yourself, and that there are ways of doing that which are not anger-filled, nor about shouting down someone else’s point of view.

“You can choose a different way to respond, and we chose dance and drama, and love and community.”