News Item, 26th July 2008: Play in a Day at All Saints School.

Put on a Play in a Day was the challenge given to pupils at All Saints Primary school, Winchester by their near neighbours the Chesil Theatre.

After a fun session of improvisation on themes connected with the play, Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations by Alan Ayckbourn the children received their scripts at 10.45am for a performance at 2.45pm.

Ernie has a vivid imagination and somehow what he is thinking about comes true. There are speaking parts for the whole class and they all appear in the fairground scenes and the finale when Ernie conjures up a complete brass band.

Chesil members Heather Bryant, Aedan Goodenough, Lisbeth Rake and Sian Woodruff worked with groups so that everyone was involved throughout the morning. Some of the pupils were so keen they gave up their lunch hour to become more familiar with their words.

The afternoon began by bringing the play together including the moments when the three Ernies and the two Mums and Dads swapped roles by the simple method of passing on a cap, a scarf and a tie. There was just time for a quick run through before parents and the younger pupils came into see the show.

“There was no pressure on them to learn lines,” said Lisbeth Rake. “We wanted them to enjoy the experience and learn new skills. In many ways the process of working on the play was more important than performance.”

The day was the first, of what the Chesil Theatre hopes will be regular outreach activities in the community. All the participants from the Chesil were volunteers.

“It was particularly pleasing that Aedan joined us,” said Lisbeth. “He went to All Saints and last October played the title role in our production of Tom’s Midnight Garden.”

To commemorate the day pupils were presented with certificates designed especially for the event.

Class teacher, Ruth O’Shea was full of praise. “It was a fantastic day, thoroughly enjoyed by all the children and by me! They learnt a great deal and were completely focussed on making the play a success.”

Megan, who played Auntie May who, in Ernie’s imagination, became the heavyweight boxing world champion at the age of 68, summed up the day. “It was such fun. I had a brilliant time and I hope they come back next year.”

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