On Tuesday evening I was entertained by P6/7 pupils from Barnhill Primary School. As part of their thematic study of the Second World War, they were performing Edith's Wartime Scrapbook on the stage at Grove Academy. This musical drama featured a series of wartime memories of Edith, now in her eighties, as she delved into her childhood scrapbook 1939-45. The part of Edith was played by Caterina Hutchison. This was a demanding role as she was on stage for the entire performance and had a considerable number of lines to remember and deliver. The other stand-out feature of the show was the fine blend of singing, dancing and acting into an engaging and enjoyable performance. Applause from the audience and smiles on the faces of the young performers conveyed our mutual enjoyment.
Interest in performing Edith's Wartime Scrapbook was triggered by a thematic study of the 1940s. As part of this curriculum for excellence project, Sergeant Laurence Young MBE, of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, visited the school last November and shared his reminiscences of the second world war. He also took part in the show, in the final scene, when those who did not return from war were remembered.
This was not only an impressive learning experience in the classroom but also in the staging of the play.
