Editor
What a pleasure to be in the audience at the Drakensview Foundation Phase magical ‘Crisis in Storyland’ on November 6. It was such an entertaining evening! I loved every aspect of the show. The first half had quite as many adults as children singing along to the opening number – this was indeed a very grandly drilled troop in the Grand Old Duke of York! Who could fail to clap, stamp, drum and shout “Hooray!” to show our happiness along with the grade two. Jack-in-the-Box by grade one had us in stitches, the inadvertent popping out caused as much hilarity as admiration at the clever costumes and bold boxes.
How we entered into the spirit of huffing and puffing with the Three Little Pigs Rap by yet another grade two class. The inventive use of colour to depict hay, sticks and bricks was inspired. We simultaneously appreciated and sympathised with the patience it must have taken to co-ordinate all the Old Woman’s excited grade one children. Old King Cole was a delight and his pipe and bowl bearers, enthusiastic musicians and the king himself were utterly charming. We were energised by the verve of Happy presented by the Stork class.
The Marching Dance presented an opportunity to be included in some energetic eurhythmics. It was clear from the audiences’ response that we had been transported back to our own youth. The stage and hall décor was amazing, so much hard work and talent evident there. The costumes were greatly admired, from the elaborate to the simplicity of dark pants and cleverly co-ordinated coloured T-shirts. Who could fail to be impressed by the scary costumes of the dark forest creatures or the fiendish anonymity the masks afforded them’. They revelled in the terror their sudden lurches induced in the audience.
An unexpected South African touch was the intrusion of the other dark creatures – the flying ants! All credit to our performers who nothing daunted, demonstrated the old adage, ‘the show must go on’. Much as the stage backdrops (fabulous wolf silhouette and stunning aloes in the forest spring to mind) set the scene, the show was swept along with a clever selection of backing music. The swinging beat built the atmosphere and contributed to the festive mood of the whole performance. Paradoxically the Crisis in Storyland was so well written and directed that no chaos or emergency threatened, instead we were treated to a fanciful tale narrated by a bevy of budding actresses and actors.
Their portrayals of the Woodcutter, Little Red Riding Hood (marvellous cape!) and the Boy Who Cried Wolf were appealing.
For such young children to memorise all their words was a credit to their powers of concentration. Their ability to cope with the dropped tooth showed clear evidence of a producer who had the foresight to instil a Plan ‘B’ in such an eventuality! Mention must also be made of the maturity of the Mayor and Little Red Riding Hood’s mother and grandmother in their roles. The entire cast of Mother Goat, Father Pig, guards, townsfolk et al, is to be commended on their enthusiasm and spontaneity. Their enjoyment was infectious! The Foundation Phase is to be congratulated on an amazing evening. Thank you for the extra time and effort you were all prepared to give to your learners to enrich their educational experience.
I strongly believe that every child should be given the opportunity to be a different character on a stage, but without dedicated teachers such as you, this would not happen. Over the years Drakensview has hosted a variety of multicultural shows and this time the traditional stories of the English speaking world was the focus. This may seem to be simple fun, but in fact as future grade 12 learners coming to grips with English figurative language, which is often based on childhood fairy stories, it is invaluable. Simultaneously, a foundation for the future study of literature, and drama in particular, is being laid. This kind of knowledge is assimilated unconsciously and to expose a child to it in such an entertaining way is inspired. I speak as a past grade 12 Provincial Examiner of English Home Language and as a retired English teacher and Superintendent of Education Academic.
Too often little support is given to such vital elements in education and while I know that seeing the children’s growing confidence and pride in their achievements is reward in itself, an acknowledgement of the educators who went the extra miles is sometimes overlooked. Please know that you are valued and that you gave so many of us: learners, older and younger siblings, parents, and appreciative ‘others’ an experience to treasure. Speaking of treasures, the low cost of tickets was astounding in these times! I wouldn’t have missed it for the most polished, professional performance. Bravo!
Ruth Green
