Beauty can be a beast
The recently-formed Paphos Youth Theatre stages two plays tackling issues that are real to children of different ages
All would agree we should try and provide as many opportunities as possible for children to develop a decent level of confidence early on in life. The sad thing is, many children these days have to bring themselves up, tutored outside school solely by the entertainment industry.
Educational experts now site a whole raft of ‘negatives’ that affect a child’s development of confidence, ability and language skills, ranging from electronic child-minding via TV or computer games to the increased use of forward facing buggies, a massive decline in family meals and the reduction in children’s opportunities to play.
When she moved here, Michelle Nonyelu, an experienced actress, teacher and drama therapist, was disappointed to find that drama studies was not an integral part of the curriculum at either primary or senior school. Also, in Paphos, there was no youth theatre for her own children to become involved in, so, undaunted by the challenge, she decided to create the Paphos Youth Theatre.
Since starting the group at Mesogi community centre a little over a year ago, Michelle has encouraged children between the ages of five and 16 to foray into the world of drama. She is now working towards Paphos Youth Theatre becoming accredited by the London Academy of Dramatic Art, which means aspiring Fame students will soon be able to take exams that are recognised within the drama world.
Michelle is deeply passionate about her work with children and this is the perfect way for youngsters to gain confidence: by learning to role play, to listen and to watch what goes on around them so they can then use their imagination to develop a host of different characters.
The day we visited, it was the turn of the younger students (aged 4 to 11) to rehearse for their upcoming show Beauty is a Beast, a delightfully moral tale about a young Princess who, although beautiful on the outside, is a deeply unattractive young lady on the inside. The play shows how, by changing attitudes, one can indeed become a really nice person after being a particularly nasty individual.
All good stuff, and judging from the enthusiastic reaction of the 14-strong cast they may just have a junior hit on their hands.
Michelle has another important play she has adapted to be performed by senior theatre members, titled The Spider and the Bird. It’s a highly topical piece taking on the subject of teenage gang culture and the miserable cause and effect of drug taking. To be effective for the age group, it’s not too preachy nor indeed can it afford to take the moral high ground. Michelle fervently wishes to encourage a large turnout of parents who will find the content of the play both thought provoking and will hopefully allow them to have some understanding of the type of pressures teenagers are put under and the temptations that surround them. Three performances are planned for this play.
The Paphos Youth Theatre deserves to be well supported by the local community – it’s not just drama classes, there’s also hip hop, jazz and Latin dance classes for youngsters, and plans are in the pipeline for Michelle to take on adult drama classes too.
Beauty is a Beast
Performance by Paphos Theatre Group (aged 4-11). Saturday February 3, 7.30pm at Tremithousa Community Centre. Tickets: £3
The Spider and the Bird
Performance by Paphos Theatre Group (aged 12-17) Friday February 9, at 7.30pm (two morning productions will be held for schools only). Tickets £3
Tel: 26 220911 or 99 878521
