Dramatic start for a Tetbury school production (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Dramatic start for a Tetbury school production

UNLIKE the start of most school plays, the production of Shakespeare 4 Kidz Twelfth Night by St Mary's School, Tetbury began with dynamic video footage of the main characters struggling to keep their boat afloat in a raging storm.

Canvas ripped, ropes shredded and the boat crashed into massive rocks. The children were shown drowning in a swirling sea and the whole scene was so lifelike that it took the audience's breath away.

Calm was at last restored and the children were seen struggling out of the water before the play began in earnest.

This unexpected and mind blowing start to Twelfth Night was thanks to film director Steve Hilliker who is also a parent. He took the children out on location to the Cotswold Water Park at South Cerney for the shipwreck scenes and also to Beverstone Castle, near Tetbury, and the video which they made was used as a backdrop for Shakespeare's masterpiece which the children then acted out for their family and friends.

"Staff and parents gave their time unconditionally to make this production so professional. The children worked hard for many months and we are proud of their achievements and grateful for all the extra hours which the adults put in to make it such a success," said producer Helen Silins who was the mastermind behind this unusual production.