Game Over on stage next week

Lead Teacher for Drama Miss Howell admitted it was important for pupils to try out a different type of theatre as well as send out a message – which is why she chose ‘Game Over.’

‘Game Over’ by Mark Wheeller tells the harrowing true story of teenager Breck Bednar, who was groomed over the internet and brutally murdered on 17th February 2014 by a supposed ‘friend’ that he met online.  

The play will be shown next week at Priory on Tuesday and Wednesday (22 & 23 March), suitable for age 12 and over.

After productions such as Matilda and We Will Rock You, Miss Howell, acknowledged this is a change from Priory’s usual shows.

“This is completely different. Acting is not just singing and dancing and it allowed other students to get involved in something a bit different that the usual shows.

“This sends out a message as well. It’s a way of educating people through other means, understanding the consequences of events and how we can make a difference.

“Game Over is on our curriculum and the students really got into it. It intrigues them that it is a true story and every word they are saying, actually happened.  They did find it hard to grasp and understand that this was real, that this can really happen, especially with it being someone the same age.

“It shows the danger of on-line grooming, an important message nowadays. We are hoping we can do it justice as that's important, the students want to help people through performing it and it is about what can be learnt from it.”

Cast members talked about their involvement in the production and what they have got out of it both on and off the stage.

Year 9 Cyrus, is Breck, the lead character, and said: "I wanted to join this production because it enables me to send out a serious message through acting. When I found out ‘Game Over’ is a true story, I felt how bad online grooming is and what the consequences of it can lead to.

"I have learnt from being involved in this production that I should never let someone who I don’t know get to know me or get into my head and control me like what Lewis Dayens did to Breck."

Year 10 Brad, the groomer, said: "I'm not a big fan of being in musicals, I felt a bit shocked that Game Over was a true story, I have learnt how to notice online grooming due to being in this play. I realised the extremity of what Lewis Daynes has done."

Playing Breck's dad, Barry, Year 9 Lewis added: "I enjoy acting, and it's an interesting and deep topic. I understand the tough feelings that the people in this story have gone through and that my character, Barry, wakes up at 3:33 every morning because he thinks that's when Breck was killed and that's really hard to hear. I've learnt that grooming can be from people the same age as you and that it isn't always people older than you."

Year 11 Lydia said, "I have always been enthusiastic about a straight play, this is the first time Priory has done one since I’ve been here so I was eager to take part.  Knowing that Game Over is a true story made me want to help spread awareness of the dangers online in hope we can prevent future victims.

Lydia, playing mum Lorin, continued, "From being in Game Over, I’ve learned about actual feelings the characters would feel and the pain each have gone through and how dangerous it can be to interact with someone who you don’t know in real life"

Full tickets information, go to>> https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/2022-03-03-game-over-tickets-now-available

More about the play, go to>> https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/2022-03-03-game-over-what-s-it-about