The Play "Tut Tut"

A play mooted and initiated about a year ago now comes to reality as the necessary preparations are set in place.

The play with its cast of all the 531 primary school students of SRS Datuk Simon Fung would be showcased from 22nd to 23rd this month (Fri & Sat) at the Yayasan Sabah Auditorium at 7.00pm.

The play entitled, ‘Tut Tut’ directed by Clara Joan Wong, a senior teacher said the story line was taken from Mark Twain’s book “Prince and the Pauper”.

According to Clara, although the preparation had been tough and challenging, it was fun and enlightening. She said, it was all about giving opportunity to students to shine and to realise their talents which included the teachers.

“There is collaboration among our teachers. Through this we harness on their strength and talents. A close knit is bond by our teachers throughout the entire production.

It is a win-win situation where all parties benefit – the teacher, parents and students,” she acclaimed. She attributed part of the success was due to her dedicated co-directors namely, Joan Gilbert and Rachel Richard.

She also commended that volunteerism act by the parents for their support in providing assistance in seeing the progress of their children in their respective parts in the play.

According to Winnie Voo the Headmistress, apart from the academic achievement, the school is making a well-rounded and creative learning environment where no one would be left behind including their forty numbers of special needs students.

“We aspire to continue bringing out the hidden talents of each of our students. Academic is still the priority and at the same time we also want to develop their confidence level, self-assurance, discover their respective talents through the extra curriculum such as the play.

We aim to make learning a fun yet educational for the children and let them go through the experience where they can discover their individual talents and skills as well as developing new interest,” explained Winnie.
She said the idea behind the production is to go beyond academia, to create a holistic learning environment where the innate creative talents of the individual student may be nurtured to fruition.

Costume director Rosaline Phillip shared that the challenge she faced was to source for 531 pieces of period costumes. The shirts/ dresses were modified to suit the style used in the play.

“It was such experiential and educational journey learning about costumes worn by the royalty including those of the peasants or street urchins in those days.

While sourcing information on these, I acquired and accumulated substantial knowledge and information which took off since a year ago,” said Rosaline enthusiastically.

Apart from costumes, props and musical part of the play were given great importance.

Art director (props), Elvianna Phillip also shared the same thoughts saying the preparation for the props especially those with larger sizes was not an easy task however they eventually managed to complete everything with the help from teachers including some of the parents who donated their used items that could be used as part of props.

Musical director Rachel Lau said she assisted in the preparation of the choir since one year ago to get them into the tunes for the production. Todate, the choir are well prepared to perform on the two days of the event.

Clara disclosed the production of the play was a synergy between the budding talents of the students, the undivided support of their parents and the collective experience of the teachers.

“Even our forty special needs students are part of the act. They make the market crowd scene which is part of the important item in the play,” she added, saying the school believed in inclusiveness in imparting knowledge to all the students without leaving behind anyone.

She further explained the play had moral values behind. Children would be able to gain confidence, teamwork, friendship, understanding, cooperation among others.

“When you see the play, absorb each of the conversation; understand the act as each brings meaning that have one way or another related to our day-to-day life.

We will learn that there is always hope even in the midst of a difficult situation, because when we believe there is hope we can make a better world to live.

Suffering is part of living. Through suffering we can learn to overcome many obstacles as we learn to be innovative,” shared Clara.

Winnie concluded that the education extends beyond qualifications. It also encompasses grace and the ability to interact with one another.

She credited the efforts of all parties who have contributed in one way or another to see to the completion of the play.

“It was the involvement, creativity, perseverance and dedication from all of them that have made this production a reality.”

The task of producing the play had been a new learning curve both educational and informative, said Winnie.

In the previous years, the school had produced nine plays namely, The Circus (1988), Dewa Dewi Bunga (the only BM language, 1989), Peter Pan (1990), The Wizard of Oz (1992), Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (1998), Mary Poppins (2001), Oliver Twist (2004), Mulan (2007) and Toy Tales (2014).

Todate, the Catholic private school which was established in 1988 had 531 students and 49 teaching staff.