March 2, 2006
By Thuli Ntuli
SMALL rows, giggles, laughter and other interruptions broke out among the young performers who were reading through their scripts before rehearsals. But then the director called the cast to order, and the show was on the road.
The young actors - the oldest is 13 - were enthusiastically preparing for the first play of the National Children's Theatre Trust season, The World of Beatrix Potter.
The young cast read through their scripts
They join professional actors Lorraine Knox, who takes the part of Beatrix Potter, Jenna Galloway, who plays Beatrix's mother, and Chris van Rensburg, who is Mr McGregor.
The play is based on Potter's books, incorporating stories and characters from four of her tales, namely The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Jemimah Puddleduck, Tale of Squirrel Nutkin and Mrs Tiggy-winkle.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is about four little rabbits, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter, the naughtiest of them all. He is always getting into mischief and has to be rescued by his siblings.
Rhymes like Run Rabbit, Run Rabbit, Happy Family, Yes a Happy Family will be incorporated into the play.
The trust's arts director, Joyce Levinsohn, is the director. "It's a production that is always done in April; it is about bunnies and it fits in well with the coming Easter Holidays.
"There will be cushions for the kids [to sit on] and adults will sit on the chairs," she said.
Potter published The Tale of Peter Rabbit, her first book, in 1902. Since then it has sold 40 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 35 languages. The following year she published The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin and The Tailor of Gloucester.
According to a press release from the trust, the play "will stimulate the audience to read more of the works of this celebrated author".
"We also run theatre workshops for the kids on Saturdays but when schools are closed we also close," said Sydwell Koopedi, the trust's media liaison officer.
It runs from Monday, 13 March to Saturday, 29 April, at 10.30am and 2.30pm, at the National Children's Theatre Trust, formerly the Johannesburg Youth Theatre, at 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown.
Parking is available in the theatre grounds. Ticket prices are R50 for children and R60 for adults. Bookings can be made at the theatre on 011 484 1584 or at Computicket.
Group bookings and specials are available through the theatre's booking officers, Sue and Limor, on 011 484 1584.
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