Youngsters perform their own opera

Almost 100 children enjoyed the experience of a lifetime appearing on stage at the Grand Theatre – performing an opera written themselves.

The youngsters from four schools in the city each spent two days preparing the work with a professional director and composer from English Touring Opera.

Youngsters from Trinity and Goldthorn Park Primary, Penn Hall Special School and Coppice School of Performing Arts have each developed a segment of the 45-minute long production.

They started rehearsals Monday morning and performed the finished article, entitled The Book of O - in the afternoon before a non-paying, audience of parents and fellow pupils yesterday.

Sebastian Stern, from ETO, explained: “We are trying to put opera in the heart of the region’s cultural activity by making it more accessible.”

Richard Devney from Goldthorn Primary, whose 10-year-old Year 5 pupils were among those taking part, said: “They had the chance to work alongside professionals while trying their hand at writing, singing, playing instruments and acting.”

The show, which explores space and time travel, is a follow-up to last years successful community opera, A House On The Moon.

Louise Bent, Education Officer at the Grand, said: “We are delighted to have had ETO working with the Grand again to create a piece of community theatre. It has been a great experience for all the children involved.