PICTURES: Vikings and dragons swoop on Cluny Primary School as Scottish Opera come to town
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THE Vikings were back in the north-east when Scottish Opera paid a visit to Cluny Primary.
Tuesday, March 12 saw members of the opera at the school to help the P6-7 youngsters stage two performances of The Quest for the Dragon's Treasure.
The first performance was enjoyed by pupils from the P3/4/5 classes in the school before parents and carers were treated to their own show later.
A lot of work went into the production by the kids, and not just on the day, as P7W teacher Carol Wilson explained.
She said: "Prior to the day itself the children were split into three groups – villagers, Vikings and sorcerers – and learned the songs they'd have to sing via a programme on YouTube.
"When the Scottish Opera people came up they worked with the children adding moves and transitions between the songs. The pupils couldn't wait to see what outfits they would be wearing, they were very excited!
"They all had a great deal of fun and were exhausted by the end of the day, although they said that they'd do it again in a heartbeat. The younger children who saw the performance were saying they can't wait until it's their turn to do it."
However, it was not solely fun and games for the kids, thoroughly enjoyable though the whole experience was.
Ms Wilson added: "Doing this really builds confidence and the children loved getting into character.
"It lets them see that they have talents they don't realise they have."
The story is based round an ancient prophecy which sends the Viking Queen and her swashbuckling band of warriors off to steal gemstones from the legendary Ice Dragon, while the sneaky Sorcerer Supreme stays behind, planning to seize power. However, the wise villagers foresee that stealing the gems is just the start of their troubles. Soon the sorcerers, Vikings and villagers must work together to restore balance to the land, for they have stolen a treasure far more precious than gold or silver, and the stakes are higher than they could possibly have imagined.
