METHUEN YOUNG DRAMA - How We Held The Square - Play by David Cregan - 1973

Sep 29, 2026

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A play for young audiences titled “How We Held The Square,” created by David Cregan in collaboration with the repertory company of the Midlands Arts Centre at Birmingham. First staged in October 1971 under Philip Hedley’s direction, it includes introductory essays describing character creation through improvisation and how staging drew on the company’s previous year’s resources. The story is set around “the Whip” and wicked boxes, featuring memorable characters such as a large pink bird and three sacks, mixing humor with vivid performance potential for children.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages100

Reading Time2 h 34 min

AccessFree to download

How The Play Was Written by David Cregan

How The Play Was First Performed by Philip Hedley

Author's Note For Those Who Haven't Read The Introduction

METHUEN YOUNG DRAMAHOWWEHELDTHESQUAREAPlay by David CreganIntroductions byDavid Creganand Philip Hedley | AUTHOR | CLASS No.
2・9 | | --- | --- | | TITLE | | | | BOOK No.
97317202 | | This book must be returned on or before the date shown above
to the Library from which it was borrowed | | # METHUEN YOUNG DRAMA The aim of this series is to offer a range of new plays foryoung people.Different volumes present material writtenfor different age groups,drawn from the expandingrepertoire now being created by a number of modernplaywrights and a variety of youth theatre companiesand groups,both professional and amateur.Each playis prefaced by an account of the original conceptionand performance and suggestions are given for futurepresentation. How We Held The Square is a play written for performanceto young audiences.It was created by the playwright,David Cregan,in close collaboration with the repertorycompany of the Midlands Arts Centre at Birmingham andfirst staged there under the direction of Philip Hedleyin October 1971.In their introductory essays the authorand director describe the process by which many of thecharacters in the play were born in improvisation sessions with the company:while the writing of the textwas the work of the playwright alone,the staging of theplay drew on the resources and style of the companybuilt up during the previous year.Concerned with theactivities of 'the Whip'and his wicked boxes,DavidCregan's play tells how the inhabitants of the squareprevented its being laid waste and concreted over withthe help of some remarkable characters including alarge pink bird and three sacks.The action is funny andvivid and,though the play was written for children to watch,it undoubtedly has considerable potential for performanceby children. Transcending and The DancersThree Men for ColvertonThe Houses by The GreenMiniatures in the same series # RECREATIONS two plays by John Challen (Pilgrim 70:Transformation Scene)for 11-14 year-olds THE RUINS OF TIME and other plays by Maida Stanier (The Ruins of Times:Storm Over Otmoor:The Expulsion)for 11-15 year-olds THANK YOU VERY MUCHa play in two actsby Cecil P Taylor in collaboration with theNorthumberland Experimental Youth Theatre # PLAYSPACE four plays for children by contemporary writersintroduced by Michael Kustow (The Cutting of Marchan Wood by Richard M Hughes;The Boy without a Head by Edward Lucie-Smith;Tamburlane the Mad Hen by Adrian Mitchell;The Legend of Scarface and Blue Water by Niki Marvin) for 8-14 year-olds JOHN FORD'S CU BAN MISSILE CRISISa play put together collectively by theBradford Art College Theatre Groupedited and introduced by Albert Hunt # HOW WE HELD THESQUARE APlay by David Cregan Introductions byDavid Creganand Philip Hedley First published in Great Britain 1973 by Eyre Methuen Ltd 11 New Fetter Lane London EC4P4EE Copyright ◎1973 David Cregan Musicc1973 Martin Duncan and Brian Protheroe How the Play Was Written 1973 David Cregan How the Play Was First Performed1973 Philip Hedley Set by Expression Printers LtdPrinted in Great Britain by Redwood Press Limited,Trowbridge,WiltshireSBN 41329420XSBN 423497901 School Edition All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reservedand application for performance etc should be made before rehearsal to Margaret Ramsay Ltd,14a Goodwin'sCourt,London WC2.No performance may be given unlessa licence has been obtained. Additional permission for the use of the musicwritten for the play must also be obtainedfrom Margaret Ramsay Ltd. This play belongs to Jane Briers,Lesley Joseph,ChristineNoonan,Tony Allen,John Dove,Martin Duncan,Derek Fuke,Philip Hedley,John Hug,Barry McGinn,Neil McLauchlan,Bob Peck and all those associated with the Midlands ArtsCentre Repertory Company season 1970-71. It also belongs to the actors,designer and stage managementof the company who performed it the following season,realizing the earlier

FAQs

Who wrote “How We Held The Square,” and who provided introductions?

The play was written by David Cregan, with introductions by David Cregan and Philip Hedley.

When and where was the play first staged?

It was first staged in October 1971 at the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham under the direction of Philip Hedley.

What sources does the book describe for developing the characters and staging?

The introductory essays describe characters being born in improvisation sessions with the company, while the staging drew on the company’s resources and style built up during the previous year.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by McGucket