The Shonai ALTs (both JET and non-JET) wrote and starred in a traditional English pantomime performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Our aim was to share a part of western culture with the students and introduce some fun English at the same time.

Although, we had planned to do this in time for Christmas, the traditional pantomime season, various delays meant that it was actually performed twice in February and once in March to Amarume town kindergarten and elementary school students.

The script was written by Peter and some parts were translated into Japanese by Daniel. The mirror on the wall serving as a Japanese narrator so the students wouldn't get too lost. Everyone was given a script to memorize their lines and there were a couple of rehearsals before the performance. There were even costumes and a set (with the incredible non-drying painted mirror).

So, on the performance days, we began by teaching the English that students would have to use throughout the play e.g. yes, no, stop and simple introductions. After this, the story of Snow White began. We could have lots of student participation since pantomime's style is for the audience to join in. For example, by advising Kim as Snow White not to eat the apple by shouting Stop!

Six students had also been picked beforehand to perform, with Erik, as the seven dwarves. However, these dwarves were not called the usual Sleepy, Dopey etc. but adjectives used in the Hello, how are you? song: happy, great, good, sad, hungry and cold. In this way, we taught the students new vocabulary and together sang the song as a review.

Afterwards, there was time for students to ask questions and to play with us.

It was such a fun time for everyone. The students were caught up in the play: they were interested by the characters (and genuinely scared of Jay as the evil queen), excited at the ending and happy to use English.

Written by Kate Yeung in the spring of 2002.