School pupils took part in a new interactive stage show at Goodison this week with Everton legend Dixie Dean the subject.

The Dixie Dean Story, an open air stage show depicting William Ralph ‘Dixie’ Dean’s remarkable life and career, was performed in front of the famous statue of the Club’s record goal scorer for local primary school children. 

The interactive production has been designed for use as an educational tool for teachers and is linked to Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 English, Maths, History and Geography lessons.

The performance, which was watched by six primary schools from across Merseyside, is used as an engagement tool to help to improve speaking, listening, discussion and participation. The play also encourages the children to empathise with historical events and ways of life.

Liam Mulcahy, Head Teacher at Holy Trinity Primary School in Garston said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed the play and I can see from their evaluation forms that they have all rated the experience very highly.

“From a teaching perspective there were lots of information about the roles in the play, the props and the whole drama background, so it wasn’t just the delivery of a play. The children were thoroughly engaged and there were opportunities for them to go onto the stage to try the old style of training using a skipping rope, for example, so it kept the children focused throughout.

“The play covered Maths, English and History – there was lots in there. I would certainly recommend it to other schools.”

The Dixie Dean Story was written and developed by broadcaster John Keith, who also narrates the play, and Gillian Beattie from Arts2u, director of the play. 

Speaking after the performance at Goodison, Mr Keith said: “Everton’s pioneering vision yet again to stage such an event has proved immensely worthwhile. Robert Elstone had this idea of children grouped around the statue with the story of Dixie being told and what a great idea it was.

“Staging the play for an educational audience has been so rewarding and the feedback from teachers has been fantastic.

“We want to take the play into schools and meet the needs of the curriculum. Football is such a powerful tool today across all walks of life and engages all ages, so aligning the story of such a great man to education can only be a good thing.”
 
Stephen Raynor, Deputy CEO of Everton in the Community, said: “The play was a great success with all of the children gaining a great deal from it. The Club was honoured to be able to host such an event and celebrate Dixie in a way which benefits the education of young people across Liverpool.”

For more information about The Dixie Dean Story, visit www.dixiedean.org.uk.