Spotlight Students recently enjoyed an exciting and inspiring trip to London, where they were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the London National Theatre. During the visit, they discovered how all three theatres are connected and explored the workshops where props and scenery are created on site for the many productions and projects taking place. The students also learned fascinating information about the theatre itself and the many people who work there to bring performances to life.
After the tour, the students had the opportunity to watch My Neighbour Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. The performance was an incredible experience, allowing the children to see a professional live show featuring outstanding sets and scenery. They were especially amazed by the impressive puppetry used to bring the character of Totoro to life on stage.
My Neighbour Totoro is a heartwarming story about two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside to be closer to their ailing mother. While there, they encounter magical creatures, including the friendly forest spirit Totoro, and discover a world filled with imagination and wonder.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience and were fascinated by how such a large and detailed production is created. The trip was both educational and inspiring, giving them a deeper appreciation for theatre and live performance.
Here are some of the students’ thoughts about the trip and the performance:
“I loved the performance and I hope we can do something like it again. It was really funny.”
“I loved the show and I found it really cool learning about the backstage props.”
“I enjoyed the huge Totoro and the huge eight-legged inflatable cat, and the way the actors were able to ride it.”
“The puppetry was so amazing and it was all so colourful.”
“I liked seeing how the set and props were all made at the National Theatre.”
These comments show just how much the students valued both the behind-the-scenes experience and the opportunity to watch a professional production, helping to deepen their understanding and appreciation of theatre.