The words, “We get knocked down, but we get up again, you ain’t ever gonna keep me down,” to Chumbawamba’s song, Tubthumping, pumped rhythmically from speakers throughout the Stirling Community Theatre. Twenty-three children were on stage, in costume and 7 of them were all red, dancing to this catchy tune. The audience were tapping their feet and humming along to the empowering lyrics. It was Saturday, November the 29th and the Hills Youth Theatre, junior classes, were performing their annual play with talent, poise and a certain unexpected concentration level for 6-10 year olds.
This original play, was written by the junior class’ drama teacher, Di Mason. Called “Blue’s Adventures”, it was about the colours of the rainbow being just a bit mixed up, and Blue actually felt blue about it. It was a lovely tour through morals, kindness, encouragement, compassion, strength, friendship, and all their opposites too! The children had to act out bullying scene’s, which of course, is against their nature and teachings. But it certainly taught them how to step in and out of character, having to learn lines in which they must treat someone badly. They also learned that an actor must do this, and as soon as they finished acting, they were all back to being friends again. It was an amazing transition to witness and I must add that, in the end, good triumphed over evil and everyone was happy.
Drama teacher Di Mason, has been lovingly building the confidence of the children throughout the year, to the point that each one of them has found an actor, singer, dancer somewhere deep within AND they’ve been encouraged to bring that skill out into the public eye. Performing in front of a theatre full of people is not an easy task and there are many adults who go pale and sweaty at even the thought of public speaking. However, these children emitted a confidence, knowledge and delight in their performance that was obvious to all.
The senior classes at the Hills Youth Theatre are putting on a performance of NARNIA open to the public, with tickets available through the Stirling Newsagency and at the Theatre. The opening night is Tuesday, 13th of January at 6pm until 9.30pm with 6 more performances throughout the week, both matinee (1pm-4.30pm) and evening. If you would like more details, please phone Judy on 0409 504 025.
Recent award winners, The Hills Musical Company and the famed Stirling Players also share this wonderful Theatre with the Hills Youth Theatre group.
Blue’s Adventures finished with the tune “Don’t Stop, never give up, hold your head high and reach the top”, sentiment which couldn’t have been more appropriate. For more information on the Hills Youth Theatre in Stirling, please phone Heather Morris on 8398 0241.
Pictured: The Hills Youth Theatre junior class with teacher, Di Mason.
Story by Kendrea Rhodes. Photographs courtesy of Paul Butler.
“Five Barbies and Action Man!”
