On Tuesday February 10, the White Horse Theatre visited our school and turned an ordinary school day into a special cultural event. The company, which tours schools all over Germany, performed three different plays for different grade levels. All plays were written by Peter Griffith and performed in clear, authentic English by native speakers. The performances combined entertainment and education and showed how exciting learning a foreign language can be.
The students in grades 5 and 6 were taken on a thrilling adventure with The Tiger of the Seas. The play tells the story of the frightening pirate Black Nick Sharkmuck, who is searching for a new crew member. When he meets a young shepherd boy named Robin, he lets him board his ship. But Robin’s brave friend Jenny refuses to accept this and follows the pirates in a hot-air balloon. The audience experiences storms, dangerous situations and many humorous scenes. The mixture of action, friendship and funny dialogue kept the younger students fully engaged and made it easy for them to understand the English. Some even participated and were part of the play.
For grades 7, 8 and 9, the company performed Sticks and Stones, a powerful and emotional play about bullying. The story focuses on Tony, who is too afraid to go to school because he is being threatened, and on Ruth, who becomes a victim of online harassment. The play shows how hurtful words and actions can be. At the same time, it highlights the role of bystanders and asks an important question: What happens when people stay silent instead of helping? The performance encouraged the audience to reflect on responsibility, courage and empathy. All students literally stood up for the victims of bullying.
The older students in grades 10, 11 and 12 watched a stage adaptation of The Great Gatsby. Set in the 1920s, the story centers on the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby, who throws glamorous parties at his mansion on Long Island. However, his real goal is to win back Daisy Buchanan, his former love. Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan, whose own actions create further conflict. Through the character of Nick Carraway, the audience follows the dramatic developments and gains insight into themes such as love, wealth, illusion and the American Dream. The play captured both the glittering surface and the tragic reality behind it.
Overall, the theatre day was a great success. The performances were lively, engaging and thought-provoking. The actors were open-minded and answered every question from the audience thoroughly and with humor. Once again, the White Horse Theatre proved that English lessons can go far beyond the classroom and become an unforgettable experience.
Clara Lofing, 11a