SCHOOL NEWS // STAFF LEAVERS operational !) spotlight . However , credit must go to Alan for placing the creative arts centre stage at Pocklington School and inspiring all who trod the boards under his watch .
Over the years , Alan ’ s passion for political , physical and street theatre characterised many of his productions : Government Inspector , Oh What a Lovely War , and The Hatfield Threepenny
Opera are particularly memorable . The latter was the first full length piece of documentary theatre ever produced by the School and his decision to set the play in 1984 , in the midst of the miners ’ strike was a stroke of genius . In 2017 he reworked Orwell ’ s , Animal Farm into a parable of our times . This visceral and fast moving interpretation saw boiler suit-wearing students represent the animals to the backing of gospel and chain gang music . This outstanding production provoked audiences to reflect on the nature of tyranny , oppression and inequality through shocking , emotionally charged images and action . Not your typical school production , but typically Alan .
Unsurprisingly , Alan ’ s passion for theatre often took him beyond the confines of the school walls . His innate ability to win people over and instil a sense of community spirit characterised many of his successful collaborations with the wider community . His highly innovative 2006 school production of the entire York Mystery Plays was a huge triumph , resulting in an ensemble going on to create a joyous version of the Pentecost in the Mystery Play cycle in York itself , to much critical acclaim . Further collaboration and sponsorship with The Merchant Adventurer ’ s Guild in York resulted in Pocklington School producing The Last Judgement in 2010 , 2014 and 2018 . Staff , OPs and the East Riding ’ s Ravens Morris produced amazing street theatre with a ‘ spectacular finale ’ ( to quote the Daily Mail – and it ’ s not often I do !).
In addition to his theatrical successes , Alan ’ s boasts an impressive academic background publishing two prizewinning essays on Shakespeare and
“ Alan Heaven was one of those teachers you never forget . A lesson with him was never dull , nor was it predictable ! To be in his presence was to feel inspired and infected with creativity , teaching us not just to act and read plays , but to love the arts and push the boundaries .
Brooke in the 80s , papers on dyslexia in the 90s ( when he also founded the School ’ s Learning Support Department ) and various stories in sci-fi magazines . More recently , he published The Potters ’ Pageant of Pentecost in M . Rogerson ( ed .), Interpreting the York Mystery Plays : Words and Music ( Sydney : University of Sydney Press , 2010 ) and Shiptonthorpe : A History of an East Riding Village ( 2016 ). He has also just been awarded a PhD titled , The soul of lively action : instructing movement in the comedies of Nathan Field , from the University of York .
Congratulations Dr Heaven !
The old saying ‘ if you want something done , ask a busy person ’ is never truer than with Alan , as he also managed to find the time to run his own successful theatre group , Kissing Gate Theatre Company , for which he wrote and directed an updated version of Moliere ’ s Hypochondriac , and Alice in Wonderland in Bunraku Puppet-style , with the latter described as ‘ outstanding , intellectual , intelligent and entertaining ’ ( York Evening Press ).
Alan has been a marvellous friend and colleague to an enormous number of people and , as he takes his final curtain call at Pocklington , we wish him well in his retirement . He is going on to continue to work in the Arts and to explore other interests . You will find him performing locally and gainfully employed as well .
The many tributes we have received from pupils , OPs and audience members are a testament to the transformational impact he has had on both the school community and the surrounding locality . The York Evening Press couldn ’ t have
got it more right : Alan is outstanding , |
intellectual , |
intelligent |
and |
always |
entertaining ! |
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Emma Cunningham
ALAN HEAVEN SAYS GOODBYE
When I arrived for interview for an English job on crutches , having lost a fight with a rock face , the then Head of English Terry Hardaker regarded me ( rightly enough ) with some suspicion . I had , after all , never been north of Gloucester before , looked incompetent and had an odd accent . A background in theatre was also of no perceptible value .
Our interview lasted three minutes and two questions . The first was ‘ Where do you stand on Shakespeare ?’ ( His wild eyes gave me a hint that I should get this one right .) The second involved him striding to the window and flinging it open to gesture furiously at a CCF group marching past . ‘ And what in God ’ s name do you think this *%$ lot has to do with education ?’
I ’ ve never really worked out the second , but this was clearly a boys ’ school heavy on testosterone and it looked like it might help .
There were no women other than the Headmaster ’ s secretary , who appeared to run the school , and the staff room included its own bar which emphasised Port and Whiskey and encouraged the smoking of pipes and cigars over cigarettes .
Over the years I have watched teaching styles change from more than a whiff of
THE POCKLINGTONIAN 5