School actors stage outdoor show
Susan Lochrie • Published 1 Jun 2012 13:30
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PIRATE FUN: The pupils recently performed Peter Pan in the open air at Finlaystone as part of a pirate day, with local children getting involved.
DRAMA pupils at Port Glasgow High are bringing the arts out into the great outdoors.
The school has teamed up with Finlaystone to add a bit of culture to the picturesque country estate - and a cast recently performed Peter Pan as part of a pirate activity day run by the rangers.
They later led workshops with the children as they re-enacted the magic of JM Barrie's classic tale.
The event was part of a groundbreaking project dreamed up by school drama teacher Tina Harper, who is passionate about taking her pupils out of the classroom.
Ms Harper, who started at the school in August, said: "I really want to take drama out of the classroom and allow the pupils to perform in unusual places like Finlaystone Estate.
"We did a Christmas concert there which was really well-received and the pirates day was a huge success with both the pupils and the children who took part.
"These events are not just for pupils at the school who are taking drama as a subject - they are for everyone who wants to be involved.
"I want as many youngsters as possible to take part because drama does wonders for their confidence."
Later in the summer the Port High pupils will be back at Finlaystone putting on an evening performance of Macbeth.
They are also putting the finishing touches to their school play Annie Get Your Gun.
Higher drama pupil Fiona Lightbody, 16, who played Tinkerbell in the recent Finlaystone open-air performance, says students are enjoying working with Ms Harper, a passionate Shakespearean.
She said: "She's the best teacher ever. We loved taking part in the pirate day at Finlaystone Country Estate.
"It was great working with the children and I think that was my favourite part.
"I really want to go on to study drama and my dream is to be a teacher. For some people it was their first experience performing in front of others."
Classmate Danni Clarke, 16, added: "I was the narrator and I loved it.
"It gives us a great opportunity to show people what we are doing."
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 01 Jun 12
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