Beauty and the Beast at Fountain Primary School

During the winter term, pupils from the school decided on producing Beauty and the Beast.

Not only was this a very popular children’s book and movie but it also related to the pupils work in class, as they were completing a ‘Personal Development Mutual Understanding’ topic which focused on the feelings of others and treating everyone equally.

Many different activities were linked to this production and feelings were explored through circle time.

After the Christmas holidays the children began their hard work. Each pupil had a part in the making and production of Beauty and the Beast. Some children created posters while others helped to design and paint the scenery.

The school council decided that this would be a great opportunity to raise some money for the school and decided to have the play recorded and sell DVD’s for a small amount. This helped to spark the pupil’s creativity and they then decided to design and create DVD covers.

The children also created different flyers and posters and then delivered these around their local community to help advertise the production and invite as many people as possible to come and witness all their hard work and effort.

All pupils were enthusiastic and couldn’t wait to get started. A lot of time, hard work and dedication went into the production.

Pupil, Leona Orr, said: “I love playing the part of Joshua Harcourt. I’m in almost every scene. When my teacher Miss Cooke give me the script and told me my part in the play I was very shocked. When I looked at how many lines I had I felt like I would never know them all. However I learned them every night at home with my granny and I now know them all. I am really looking forward to the play but I’m really nervous”.

Teegan Temple commented: “I liked playing the part of Gabriella Harcourt because I love to act and I also have a sister at home called Shantell. I try to tell her what to do but it never works so at least I have a sister in the play that does what I tell her.”

Dayna Stratford, who played the role of Bell Harcourt, said: “Whenever I found out I was Bell I was so scared but once I got started I realised that I really enjoy acting and how much fun it is. It took me ages to learn my words and even now I feel like I could forget some, but when I go on stage they just flow out of my mouth.”

Ellie Simpson, who played the witch commented: “I love playing the witch because she is evil and cackles alot. I enjoyed taking part in Beauty and the beast because it was exciting and daring. The point of the play is loving someone for their personality and not for their looks. This is a message everyone should hear.”

Teacher supervisors Linzi Cooke and Gemma Ritchie, said: “We are so proud of all pupils involved in the production. Each and every one of them were so enthusiastic and this showed throughout each and every rehearsal. We had very little to do as the children became so involved from designing the posters to organising their own costumes and props. A fantastic show with an amazing group of pupils.”