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Meerkat Productions Performance Incursion

On Wednesday, 23 August the actors from Meerkat Productions performed two plays based on Book Week shortlisted books. Students in Foundation - Year 4 viewed the adaptation of the shortlisted picture book Frank’s Red Hat written and illustrated by Sean E Avery.

Frank is a penguin with ideas. Mostly terrible ones. That’s why his fellow penguins are nervous when he shows them his strange new creation. Something they’d never seen or expected to see in their cold and colourless Antarctic world — a red hat. This is a story about never giving up on your talents, because even though what you do may not be appreciated right now, it may be in time. Possibly by someone you’d least expect.

The students were completely engaged throughout the entire performance, laughing at the antics of Frank and his penguin pal, Neville. Donning penguin masks and their favourite beanies or hats, audience participation peaked when joining with the performers in singing the chorus of Stickability - the shows finale.

Year 5 & 6 students viewed the younger readers adaptation of The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon.

Scruffity is born into the harsh, grey world of a puppy farm. Taken from his mamma and locked in a concrete cage, what he yearns for most is Family. To belong is The Way of Dog. But no one wants him. Just as his chances of adoption grow dangerously thin, Scruffity is set free by a boy as unwanted and lonely as he is. Outside, Scruffity learns all about The Way of Dog - it is to run, to dig, to howl and, biggest of all, to love. But when tragedy strikes, Scruffity is suddenly all alone. How does a dog find his way home when he never had one to begin with?

This is a remarkable novel written in verse from the viewpoint of Scruffity, the dog. It explores themes of kindness, hope, love and resilience. The students had listened to the story being read during library classes throughout the term but were unaware of the ending. Everyone was amazed and overjoyed at how Scruffity’s journey came to a satisfactory resolution and conclusion.

- Mr Gavan Kelly