Harry Hart with pupils in Year 6 at Richardson Endowed Primary School
West End stars are bringing books to life for children in several Derbyshire schools this week.
Throughout World Book Week, Embark Federation, which runs 15 schools, has organised a series of visits by theatre actors, helping pupils explore the characters and emotions in some of the most popular children’s books.
For pupils at Richardson Endowed Primary School in Smalley, actor Harry Hart, who played Mr Perks in the UK tour of The Railway Children, delivered theatre workshops. He showed Year 5 and 6 children, who have studied or are studying the book, tips on how to bring the story’s characters to life.
Harry is part of the West End Theatre Academy which teaches workshops across the country.
He said: “World Book Week is so special to me because books are all stories and stories are so important when you are an actor because it is your job to tell a story. The reason why I love World Book Week is because I love to read stories and that’s what got me into acting. Now, as an actor, I get to bring to life characters out of books I love.”
He said the workshops seemed particularly important after Covid-19.
“I think these are helping kids to find their inner confidence again after not having had these opportunities to perform during Covid-19.”
Headteacher Kathryn Mason said it was wonderful to be able to welcome visitors back into the school following the pandemic.
“We are always really keen to include performance in our school and to build children’s confidence,” she said. “I think today, being able to welcome guests back into the school and seeing the children perform as part of World Book Week, is wonderful.”
At Aldercar Infant School, Connor Lewis who is playing Michael Wormwood in the West End production of Matilda the Musical, dropped in to lead sessions.
Matt Crawford Trust Leader of Embark Federation, said: “It has been wonderful to welcome the West End Stars back to our schools in person again after holding these sessions online last year. We fully recognise the importance of the Arts across our schools to raise the aspirations and self-esteem of the children. It has been wonderful to observe the sessions and hear the buzz of learning today.”
Throughout the week the schools will continue their workshops and on Friday, the Federation will welcome children from all of its schools to the New Horizon Centre where four West End stars will lead a day of musical workshops.
Mr Crawford added: “We are so excited to bring children from all our schools together again for a fantastic day with incredible actors from the West End. It’s a brilliant way to bring the story of Matilda to life with current cast members who are World Class performers in their field.”
