Westmount performs Robert Munsch play
Amy Gregson – Times Reporter
The Grade 4-6 students at Westmount Elementary School performed their play “A Promise is a Promise” to a packed house March 3.
Students have been preparing for approximately four months on the adaptation of Robert Munsch’s children’s book.
“It was a good story that I could add and write in a whole bunch of extra cast,” said Dana Graff, associate principal and director. “If you ever get the book and read it there’s no ravens in it or polar bears, but it’s easy for me to write them all in.”
“A Promise is a Promise” is written by Robert Munsch and is a collaboration with Inuit story-teller Michael Kusugak.
The story is about Allusha who, despite her mother’s warnings, wants to find the Qallupilluits, the Inuit creatures that live in the ocean.
Allusha goes to the edge of the ocean to find the Qallupilluit and challenges them to catch her.
When the Qallupilluits do appear they drag Allusha beneath the sea. They finally release her after she promises to bring her brothers and sisters to them.
When the Qallupilluits appear at Allusha’s home, her parents help her keep her promise by distracting them while Allusha brings her brothers and sisters to the sea.
The message in the play is all about keeping your promise, and the saying “A Promise is a Promise” is spoken throughout the play.
“It’s has a good Native feel to it and we could then tie it into the curriculum,” said Graff.
The afternoon performance of the play invited the seniors in the community to come watch and then have snacks and coffee afterwards with the Grade 6 students.
“It’s our way of paying back,” said Graff. “Strathmore gives to schools in so many ways and this is our way of giving back.
He said it is also a way of teaching kids about citizenship and helping others.
The kids did a great job and knew all their lines, or most of them,” said Graff. “The choir really adds to it and that’s a great thing too.”
The choir leader was Jana Kopp. Angie Hitch, a parent, was the make-up coordinator and librarian Bonnie Bigras organized the costumes.
amy@strathmoretimes.com