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Golden Time (and Other Behavioural Management Strategies)

 
Isabella Thompson Review by Isabella Thompson 4 Published: 13 Aug 2025 Pleasance Dome Show Dates: 30 Jul 2025-25 Aug 2025

Golden Time (and Other Behavioural Management Strategies) is a beautifully creative critique of the ‘one size fits all’ approach of the British school system. Writer and performer Kate Ireland explores the rigid rules imposed on children that begin in primary school, with a particular focus on the concept of ‘Golden Time’ – that hour of play gifted to children who have been well behaved throughout the week. The result is a beautifully touching hour that both educates and empowers, holding a mirror up to our childhoods and sparking meaningful reflection.

A beautifully touching hour that both educates and empowers

Directed with sensitivity and precision by Giulia Grillo, Ireland takes the stage as both narrator and storyteller, at times guiding the audience through tales of her time as a teacher’s assistant, at others taking to the microphone, weaving in personal memories and inviting the audience to share their own. Childhood recollections – what got us in trouble, how we spent our precious free time – are recalled with warmth, humour and mutual encouragement. Playful drawings and doodles enliven the creative captioning, adding a charming visual flourish. A particular highlight is the inclusion of archival clips of Jenny Mosley, Golden Time’s 1980s creator, whose strict yet saccharine delivery feels like real-life satire. The clips speak for themselves, both funny and unsettling, amplifying the critical edge.

Clodagh Chapman’s thoughtful dramaturgy is clearly evident, especially when the show gains emotional depth as Ireland connects with a neurodivergent child in her class who, like her, does not fit the mould, making the commentary on conformity and difference even more resonant. There are moments where the performance strains slightly, yet the poetry in Ireland’s writing is undeniable – allowing it to breathe and do the work on its own would elevate the show further.

Golden Time is an insightful exploration of childhood, control and individuality – cleverly staged and thoughtfully performed. A golden hour in its own right.

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The Blurb:

Golden Time is a primary school incentive rewarding free time for good behavior. Kate is an assistant teacher with terrible time management and needs your help. Blending interactive performance, spoken word and comedy, join Kate as she attempts to avoid distraction and save time. Kate Ireland is a Glaswegian writer and performer whose words have recently connected with people online through her discussions around productivity and incentive culture. Directed by Giulia Grillo, this show is Kate's solo theatre debut and is creatively captioned.