Words by Yassir Alrufaee
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| Photo: historyextra.com |
As I enter the Royal Exchange Theatre I see
deluxe designs of the original building, which is very interesting. When you
come to a place like this, you see straight away that you’re in a different
world. What I enjoy is seeing a calm place where children can play around in an
organised way, making the Royal Exchange to be even more an unbelievable
place.
A member of staff welcomes me and seems pleased
that I have come to blog the event for them. She takes me to the area where the
activities will happen, somewhere on the second floor. Walking into the room,
the children are deep into their activities while listening to stories, looking
like they are in a completely different planet.
I sit in the corner and start to listen to what
is happening and what the children are doing. At first, the kids do a small
exercise to ‘refresh’ their brains. Each child touches their ears or elbows or
shoulders, depending on what the activity leader says. The orders get quicker
and the children get hyper and giggly and ready for the next stage.
The following activity involves objects. The
children take these objects and have to use their imagination in order to
create a function for these things. A child’s imagination is definitely more
creative than an adult’s, which can be seen from the amazing ideas coming out
of these young minds, showing their ever-developing intelligence.
Next we get told a story about a giant, which I
find amazing (and maybe the best part of the day). The giant lives in a village
and the villagers get upset with him because he destroys their properties. The
giant eventually leaves the people of the village, but then they go on a search
after him. It might seem like a boring story, but Andy, the storyteller,
makes it very interesting, stopping throughout to ask the children
for the next part. A wave of hands rise when the questions are asked, leaving me impressed with how attentive they are. Andy’s sound effects might have
helped.
Keeping the children's attention once more, Andy rounds up the story by saying, ‘I need someone to help me finish the last part. My brain
is empty’. I can see how the children liked this last remark and it was their
last chance to be part of this well-told tale.
I left the Royal Exchange Theatre pleased to
have been involved in this fantastic experience. I would advise every young
adult to take part in activities like these as it opens up doors to other
worlds (and more fun!).
Yassir is a student at The Manchester Academy.
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