Local heroes of the Great War celebrated by Norfolk Primary School

Aldborough children share Theatre Royal stage with John Hurt

Hilda Zigomela, who was born in Rougham Hall, Norfolk in 1869, kept detailed notebooks of her life.  The only one missing is from 1914.  Her son died in the First World War.  Sidney Smith was a Norfolk-born regular soldier who wrote telling letters home from the front.  Their characters and letters form the basis of Aldborough Primary School’s contribution to To End All Wars, which also stars John Hurt and is being performed in the Norwich Theatre Royal on Friday August 1st 2014 at 7.30pm. 

Aldborough is one of four schools selected to take part in the event, a collaborative project which celebrates the contribution made by of a cross section of Norfolk people to the Great War.  The other three schools are North Denes, Hellesden High and Arden Grove. 

Aldborough children, aged 10 and 11, have been responsible for the design and direction of the characters’ storylines.  Music and film made by the children will also be part of the final performance. 

Lead artist Xenia Horne, who is running the project in schools, says: “To End All Wars is a project where we have been able to work closely with Aldborough and other schools across the county, exploring the lives of real people and their experience of World War 1.  We have really enjoyed the chance to explore source material, songs and stories and build the six performances with our artists.  It's going to be fantastic to see the work on the stage of the Theatre Royal with John Hurt narrating.”

Here are some of the children’s comments:

“I learnt new techniques to look upwards over the audience which seems really strange.  The actor used this method when we went to see Private Peaceful.”  Joe Groom.

“It has been fun working with professionals from the theatre.”   Megan Rounce.

“At the beginning we did loads of drama techniques and I couldn’t see the point but we have used everything we’ve learnt in the final production and I think it is going to be really good.”  Abi Durand.

“Creating the film with Tim was really cool, we helped to direct.”  Brandon Mantell (Animator Tim Edwards, who also runs the ‘MagiMation’ animation workshops at Norwich Puppet Theatre).

“This has been wonderful for our children,” says Deputy Head Jill Morgan, who has been coordinating the project at the school.  “Not only in terms of drama and performance, but also through the truly exciting learning opportunities – we’ve seen memorabilia and heard family stories that have brought history to life.” 

For more information on the performance visit theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call 01603 630000.

The Aldborough School website is at aldborough.norfolk.sch.uk

If you’d like more information, please call the school office on 01263 761264 or email office@aldborough.norfolk.sch.uk. 

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Contact: Mrs Tina Casburn, Head Teacher, Aldborough Primary School, 01263 761264

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