Over the weeks I have been collecting lots of materials that could be used in completing the future selves masks -stuff that might be used as hair of various kinds -and brought them with me on this real visit. Walking into the room each child had their mask sitting in front of them on the desk and I was struck by the quality and variety of the masks and by their expressivity. I brought my most finished mask and showed how different types of hair and different elements of costume could really change the character. I showed the children photos of some of the people from my life who were influencing the features and costume on my mask. They made suggestions about what combinations to use. When I put all of them together the effect was quite powerful. Hair adds so much character and the children played with the materials on their own masks, experimenting, discussing and checking the effect before they brought out glue and staplers and committed to particular designs. Some brilliant hairstyles and eyebrows and even beards appeared. Mrs Wilson has been working with the children on their dreams and aspirations and her work with the class has really underpinned the creative experimentation. Future selves included retired models, footballers, and still-active farmers, business men and women. Almost everyone had brought in costumes -some really elaborate. By the time that the children were dressed the glue was dry and it was time to document these magnificent individuals. As soon as the masks went on movement changed. Such transformation: some of it due to the physical shape of the masks. The very nature of the apertures for seeing or speaking made it mechanically difficult for the children to see or speak as usual but the characters were also created through carefully constructed costume choices that made movement more formal or more free depending on the character. Many of the children knew how age might affect their character -some walking and talking differently. There were some walking sticks but many of the characters still had a sprightly attitude. It was a full performance. We found a good backdrop in the outdoor classroom and everyone took lots of photos. Two of the characters posed for a photo shaking hands together and then explained: “We’ve just bought three hotels.”
One of the best moments was when the “older people” were climbing the steps very gingerly to go back into the school. Hindered by the limited sightlines from inside the masks, some of them were really showing their age! The children were keen to showcase their hard work so we devised a simple promenade performance and took it on tour around the school. The P1 and P2’s were particularly appreciative, having had their own mask experience quite recently. The P6’s and P7’s had trouble figuring out who was behind the masks, even though some of them were younger siblings!
It was evident that the P3’s and P4’s had confidence in their creative work and were really proud of their imagination and hard graft. This was yet another memorable day in Donaghey. Unfortunately it was also our final session for this phase. It was really sad to finish but we have had so much fun and we have to stop somewhere. Like Mrs Wilson, I have thoroughly enjoyed this year and finish this phase enthused and refreshed by this inexhaustible creativity of children from this genuinely wonderful school.
To the children and everyone who supports the project in Donaghey and beyond: I think that you know how good you are but it’s worth saying again. Thank you all so much.
We are such stuff
As dreams are made on….
The Tempest Act IV Scene I
William Shakespeare
