PUPILS AT ST HILARY’S SCHOOL, GODALMING FIND THEMSELVES ‘SHIPWRECKED EN FRANCE’

St Hilary’s School pupils were immersed in French, when the Onatti Theatre Company spent an afternoon performing ‘Shipwrecked En France’ to Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. The play was performed by two actors; one male (Native English) and one female (Native French) and was created to help those children at the early stages of learning the language, Key Stage 2/3. The play was an entertaining, modern theatrical piece, aimed at reinforcing simple words and phrases, offering some cultural references and most importantly, making French friendly!

The play revolved around a thirteen year old English boy called Tyler, who is on holiday in France with his mother, and is unaware that the coastal tide is about to push his little blow-up dingy so far away. Although he waves frantically at his mother she doesn’t notice that he is drifting away down the coast. Once back on land his adventure begins, as he decides to drag his dinghy back along the beach, where he encounters many native French. Two things are certain, Tyler is going to know a lot more French by the time he gets back and his Mum is going to be very angry!

Mrs Harris, Head of French said, “The Upper School thoroughly enjoyed Onatti's modern, fun production, it totally engaged all the children. The scenery, props, costumes and subject matter were spot on and superbly pitched, the whole experience has certainly boosted their interest in language learning”.