Botelle BeatParticipatory Theater Inspires Clean Ocean Awareness

By Lauren Valentino
More than 20 years ago, the Grumbling Gryphons, a professional traveling children’s theater group from Cornwall, came to Botelle School and performed the play “The Ghost Net.” This week they returned and gave a repeat performance of the same play, wowing students, staff and family members in attendance. Two parents in the audience remembered watching the play when they were students at Botelle!

“The Ghost Net” is an environmental play about protecting the oceans from pollution. Twenty Botelle students from grades three through six participated in a workshop and learned songs and movements for three scenes in the play. The play is designed for student participation, and the performers asked the students questions throughout, encouraging choral responses and singing.

The student actors became tropical fish for one scene, singing and swimming while holding colorful tropical fish puppets. Other students were trash monsters, dressed in costumes made of recycled objects like plastic bags, netting, plastic six-pack rings and fast-food containers. They moved, grooved and sang along with their leader, Sludge, whose goal was to pollute the ocean. 

At the end of the play, all of the student actors worked together to remove a dangerous fishing net (the ghost net) from the ocean so creatures wouldn’t get stuck in it and perish. Students enjoyed the colorful scenery and dazzling costumes. Thanks to our dedicated PTO for making this cultural event available to Botelle students.

If your child is interested in theater, the Grumbling Gryphons run two summer theater camps for children.

Lauren Valentino is the principal of Botelle School in Norfolk.