Click on the photos to view Workshop photos in the Image Gallery

Last Thursday, Year 5 had a marvellous day working with the R.S.C. in the morning and watching the world premiere of Roald Dahl's Matilda in the afternoon. The drama workshop explored the characters and story of Matilda. We also created soundscapes for the dreaded 'Chokey' and ended up writing a group poem about it. Here it is.

The Chokey
When I am in the Chokey, I hear bangs and screams
It is tense, intimidating and stressful
The Chokey feels shocking and surprising
There is screaming, evil laughing and slams of doors
Don't make me go in there
To be choked in the Chokey!
There are screams of children being tortured
The noise is like no other - a kid being scraped against glass and nails
In the dreaded Chokey, I hear screams of people who have been in before me
I actually feel the floor shaking!
Screams of terror, bangs and crashes
Paper rustling, fingers scratching
Scared, choking, heart thumping
I feel small, scared and very worried
In the Chokey I am trembly, spooked out and scared
I'd like to burn down the Chokey and end its torturous days
I'd like to put it into flames till only the bits that can't be burnt are left
Terrifying and ghastly the Chokey is

I will blow it up and watch the show!

I want to destroy the Chokey right this minute

Burn it down to ashes and dust so there’s nothing left at all

I will turn the Chokey into something loving

Turn the broken glass into sweets

Make the nails milk chocolate

The Chokey will become a rainbow…

By Year 5, written in Stratford, just before watching Matilda

November 2010

( Click here to view the workshop video)