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 Dickens comes to school

 Children were given a taste of Dickens when the Theatre for Youth visited Stoke Gabriel Primary School.

 Two actors performed their show Days of Dickens, based on extracts from Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, Great Expectations and David Copperfield.  The acting duo portrayed scenes from the novels to show what life was like for children in Dickens’ Victorian England.  Heather Boote, the headteacher said: “The show was cleverly put together and made the topic, which could have been complicated, accessible to the children.”

 With original songs and a good dose of humour, the actors had their audience mesmerised one minute and laughing and singing the next.  Peter Briggs, who played the adult characters in the play, said: “I love the fact we’re able to interact directly with the children.  We can look into their faces and see whether they’re enjoying it and get a direct response from them.”

 Ellie Dyke, age 10, and Luke Doran, age eight, both enjoyed the extract from Oliver Twist.  “It was fun to learn the song,” said Ellie, who went up on stage to bang her plate and spoon as a percussionist for Oliver’s song for more gruel.

 “Fagin was really funny,” said Luke, talking about how Fagin clambered through the audience allowing them to ‘look but not touch’ his stash of stolen jewels.

 Kenneth Vaughan started Theatre for Youth in Manchester in 1990.  He is a strong believer in the value of children’s theatre in which he has worked since 1960.  “The aim is to take drama into schools,” said Helen Lomas, Kenneth’s assistant.  They have two companies that visit schools across the UK.  “We even visit a school in the Highlands which has just 16 children,” said Helen.

 As well as the experience of the theatre, the added benefit is the exposure to literature that the children might not have come across.  Jo-anne Donnelly, who plays all the boy characters said: “I love the fact that we can educate the children and inspire them to go out and read the books.”  Heather Boote the headteacher agreed and added: “Some of the children have been studying the Victorians so it was ideal for them to learn more about the era through theatre.”      

The Days of Dickens Southwest tour will continue into Cornwall and will end in South Wales at Easter.

 By Julie Goodall

14 March 2006 

Note for the photo:

“Ellie Dyke, age 10, and Luke Doran, age eight, dressed as the Artful Dodger, with Peter Briggs and Jo-anne Donnelly

as Fagin and Oliver Twist.”