Years 5 and 6 at Pocklington Prep School recently performed their summer term play, an adaptation of the Revolting Rhymes poems written by Roald Dahl with additions by teachers Mrs Kate Foster and Mrs Anna Hughes.

Each of Roald Dahl’s rhymes, which are re-interpretations of classic fairy tales, were taken by a class, with an extra tale of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ written by Mrs Hughes in the style of Roald Dahl. The children introduced each play and sang songs which fitted with the fairy tales, most of them taken from ‘Into the Woods’ by Stephen Sondheim, along with some other favourites.

Whether storytellers, active characters or backstage helpers, every child played their part, literally and figuratively, adding tremendous character and life to the stories and melody to the words in the songs. They performed the play twice in one day, to the rest of the Prep School and to parents, who were impressed by everyone’s enthusiasm, effort and teamwork.

Hattie Cobb and Oliver Foster were a wonderful Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, singing complex music really well, and Lucy Coles was a cross Goldilocks who sang her verse in the ‘Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ beautifully.

Benjamin Riley was one of the ugly sisters and commented that he “loved his dress and make-up!” The audience certainly won’t forget him and Sam Smart lifting their skirts to swish across the ballroom in Cinderella!

Year 6 pupil Amy Colley said: “I really liked how everyone had an even and equal speaking part; it was fair and worked really well.”

Mrs Hughes said: “It was hard to pick out a memorable moment, as there were so many brilliant performances from so many, but one of my favourites has to be Barnaby Walker’s disgruntled pig talking to Will Briggs’ Wolf! Well done everyone!”