Shows

The Sneetches 2005

I remember when I was a child having a few Dr Seuss books read to me, the usual suspects; 'Cat in the Hat' and 'Green Eggs and Ham', but it is only recently, when I discovered some of the more obscure Dr Seuss books, that I began to realise that his writing contains so much more depth.

Dr Seuss books could so easily fit within any primary school Citizenship curriculum, examining as they do, the issue around 'being different' in 'The Sneetches', or about caring for the environment in 'The Lorax'. Seuss reminds us to think about others smaller than ourselves in 'Horton Hears a Who' and in a book he was working on just before he died, he extols the virtues of schools teaching through the power of imagination in his superb book 'Hurray for Diffendoofer Day!'

The Sneetches formed the starting point for MakeBelieve Arts first Youth theatre production in Coopers Lane Primary School in 2005.

Fifteen children were involved in exploring prejudice thrown up by the story in a world where pupils with stars on their bellies are respected and treated more kindly than those without stars.

MakeBelieve Arts Youth Theatre worked on the production for two terms during weekly after school drama sessions and the show of work was finally presented to parents and pupils at Coopers Lane school during the Spring Term.