Pupils present as McManus becomes McMenace!

Children from the High School of Dundee were thrilled to enjoy the first look at a brand-new exhibition marking a special anniversary for one of Scotland’s most iconic publications.

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Pupils in L5 made the short journey to the building that was previously known as the McManus, but which for the next four months has been renamed as the McMenace in a nod to an exhibition it is hosting to celebrate the Beano’s 80th birthday.

There they were treated to a sneak peak at ‘Bash Street’s Back at the McMenace’, which includes  the story of the birth of the comic, original artwork, a first edition of the Beano from July 1938, and fan club memorabilia, as well as a history of publishers DC Thomson.

Focusing on the fun and rebellious ethos of Beano, the free exhibition, which runs until 21st October, also features a special focus on the Bash Street Kids.

And with the conception of that enigmatic group of characters having been inspired by High School of Dundee pupils playing in the playground, which the original cartoonists were able to see from DC Thomson’s headquarters, it seemed only right that current pupils were invited to be in attendance as the exhibition launched!   

In the weeks leading up to the launch, Junior and Senior pupils from the High School also enjoyed taking part in workshops at the art gallery and museum, hosted by the McManus’s Creative Learning Teams.

The interactive sessions gave the youngsters the chance to celebrate Dundee’s rich design history and all things Beano and Bash Street, as well as exploring the links between Bash Street and the School and trying their hand at creating a variety of Beano-inspired pieces of artwork.

You can find out more about the exhibition at: https://www.themcmanus-dundee.gov.uk/