In September, rehearsals start for the latest Music Theatre show entitled Lucky Lucky. It’s a trick title as the first word is English Lucky, while the second is a Czech word pronounced Luhts-hey. Lucky are a Czech version of St Lucia, but unlike their Scandinavian counterparts who bring refreshment, carols and light on December 13th.
Lucky are mean – a cross between a witch and a bird of prey. In Caitlin’s drawing one of the Lucky thinks she can disguise herself in colourful clothing but her mask and beak give her away. Lucky turn up at your house on St Lucia’s Day, not bringing refreshment, but demanding it. Woe betide anyone whose cakes are substandard or whose houses are untidy. Woe betide anyone caught spinning or weaving at home or going to work. Woe betide anyone caught riding a bicycle or playing out. Woe betide any child who has not been good all year, because Baby Jesus who brings Christmas presents in Czechia won’t bring them anything. Other punishments include being pinched or pricked with needles. So Lucky Lucky either get well fed, or can enjoy being mean to people!
The Activity Afternoon will consist of:
An illustrated introduction to the story…
Drama and music games…
- A simple song (in Czech!) about a picnic on a rainy day, a nervous pony, and an annoying cuckoo (which featured in the show Children of Lidice in 2011, pictured)
- Writing naughty people’s names and crimes with quill pens…
- Making a hideous mask or hooked nose / beak…
- Enjoying authentic free refreshments such as Lucky would expect (but not the Czech national drink, beer!)
- NO pinching or pricking with needles!
Suitably qualified and vetted adults will run the activities and look after the participants. Parents are welcome to stay (or even join in!) or to collect their child at the end – just ensure there’s a contact number in case of emergency. Everyone who comes can sign up to receive updates about joining the group for Sunday afternoon rehearsals starting September 18. There’s no obligation, and children can join the cast without having been at the Activity Afternoon.
The afternoon is open to all, but it would be helpful if parents could email bfmt@bollingtonartscentre.co.uk or leave a message on 0161 225 4680 to say who is coming so that adequate materials and refreshments can be provided. Use this email to request details for September if you’re unable to come on June 26.
While this is a FREE event, donations by cash, cheque or bank transfer would be appreciated.
