Storytelling Events

So, from my first ever visit to a primary school, Upton St James in Torquay, on 21st May 2024, performing ‘Chloe and the Bright Idea’, to now, 24 schools later, it’s been a steep learning curve.

One of my preconceived ideas was about how much knowledge the children would have - it turned out to be a lot more than I’d given them credit for. Some of their questions really had me stumped, the science ones in particular. I had to consult a chemist I know to learn the reason why a flame turns blue in carbon monoxide, and why a metal mesh will prevent the heat of a flame from igniting methane… and it still seems a bit like magic to me, non-scientist that I am.

Another thing I had to learn was crowd control. An audience of young children does not need warming up with a shout-out or ‘3 yeses’ - quite the opposite. They are so brimming with excitement, energy and joy that they will burst into animated chatter at the slightest opportunity, and the volume will just shoot up. I had to learn to copy the teachers' methods of keeping things contained - either ‘shushing’, making a ‘stop sign’ or ringing a chime - accompanied by a theatrically stern expression. To be honest, it seems a shame to stop them from socialising happily, but on the other hand I guess it is supposed to be school time. Occasionally I’ve had kids who won’t be quiet for anything, and that makes it hard - you find you’re having to compete with the noise and it’s almost impossible to hear people’s questions.

My performance improved quite quickly, and I’m working on it still. I learned to make animated gestures all the way through so that big words and concepts could be better understood, particularly by the really little ones. Also, there are places in the text that call for a crescendo, or a diminuendo to create drama. One of my favourite bits is when I suddenly bang my fist loudly against a table at the point when the characters in the story are thumping the trap door. It’s so funny - they get a fright but they love it.

There are things about primary school that I’ve clearly forgotten since my own time in one 50 years ago. The noise, the sticky surfaces, the germs… I soon caught a cough which has been a bit of a nuisance. One thing I do remember is the varying atmosphere in schools, and this, invariably, is down to the teachers. When the teachers are enthusiastic, loving (apparently they’re allowed to physically comfort kids nowadays, thank goodness), respectful and happy, it has a wonderful effect on everyone. I come away from schools like this filled with such positive vibes.

So, I’ve learned a lot. Watching myself on recordings or the photos the school share with me makes me want to endeavour to be more relaxed. Even though I know the text and the performance off by heart now, and I’m used to the whole format (parking, going through security, setting everything up etc) I wish I could be as comfortable looking as some of the presenters I see on TV. How do they do it? How do they smile so easily; have just the right reactions; seem so chilled? Perhaps it just takes a bit more experience…