Pupils spent an inspirational afternoon with Mr Lester
Thursday 24th November, pupils at Dean Close Preparatory School were thrilled to welcome Mark Lester, the original Oliver from the 1968 film, who came to talk to the cast of this year’s Christmas performance, Oliver! The Musical.
experiences of playing Oliver as well as some top acting tips, then children were given the opportunity to ask him questions such as: How does acting on stage differ to acting for a film? Which performance are you most proud of and why?
Dean Close pupil Cameron Stephens, who plays Oliver in the School production said: “Meeting Mark was thrilling. He signed my cap and gave me some useful ideas about the interpretation of my character. I am really looking forward to performing next week, along with the rest of the cast who are brilliant.”
Oliver! The Musical is being performed in the new Dean Close Prep Centenary Hall using a professional West End set. The four performances are already sold out, attracting 1300 friends and family and three local schools.
Inspired by this year’s adaption of Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist, the School has spent an entire week going Dickens mad, with a ‘What the Dickens’ week. Dedicating a whole week to one of Britain’s most celebrated authors, pupils, through a wide range of Dickensian activities, have been learning about some of the stories he wrote and the characters he created.
Every morning pupils were greeted by a different Charles Dickens’ character, such as Mr Bumble and Scrooge. Parents, pupils and staff have had great fun, guessing who the characters were.
Located at the school entrance behind an authentic bay window the School has created its very own ‘Old Curiosity Shop’ which has been open for business all week. Pupils have enjoyed searching through the dusty objects on an old Welsh dresser to uncover a variety of Victoriana and guessing its purpose. Just a few of the items on display, on loan from the Wilson Museum, were a glove stretcher, a puzzle jug and Victorian curling tongs. Children could also spend time in the library sharing authentic Victorian toys – none of which needed charging!
Throughout the week the School chose to support one of Britain’s oldest Victorian children’s charities – Barnardo’s, by collecting coppers and small change. Barnardo’s was founded in 1866 to care for vulnerable children and young people.
On Thursday, lunchtime was transformed into a Victorian feast as pupils dined on Victorian favourites such as game pie, delicious plum duff and baked apple dumplings.
The School’s archive department created a fabulous display of photographs and artefacts from the School’s first days for pupils and staff to learn what school might have been like 130 years ago, when the school first opened in 1886.
Head of English, Mr Bob Shelley said, “This has been a fantastic experience for the children, all the activities have really brought Charles Dickens stories and characters to life. So much so, some of our pupils have decided to read ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’ for themselves and find out what happened.”