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Press and Journal
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
David Knight: Addams Family values on Aberdeen stage contrasts real-life school chaos
It was dark and I was whispering into the ear of a mysterious Danish woman I had only just met a few minutes earlier. I was asking if she minded if I moved a little closer. All we needed was Phyllis Nelson to start singing in the background, you might think. But you'd be jumping to the wrong conclusion. After all, we usually whisper in the dark in a theatre during a show. I was longing to take over an empty seat between us to stretch my aching cramped legs, which is why I asked if we could squeeze up. A stage can be an unforgiving place; so is Row L in the very front seats of the dress circle at Tivoli Theatre in Aberdeen – it felt as though they were designed for the vertically challenged. I'm relatively small, more on the rotund side; yet I thought when Tivoli was built in the 19th Century theatre-goers must have been less than five feet tall. Having said all that, it's a magical place full of character and a credit to all those who brought the theatre back to life a few years ago. It turned out that the charming woman next door to my wife and I was from a city to the south of Copenhagen; I think she said Nyborg. As I sipped my cream-soda Pepsi, she confided that many Danes were boycotting Coca-Cola in protest over Trump's dreams of annexing Greenland. It always amazes me how people from all sorts of far-flung places and backgrounds are thrust together suddenly; airports obviously, but perhaps less common in an Aberdeen theatre. We were bonding in joyful unison with a common purpose: to see young relatives on stage in a Saturday matinee with the junior section of Aberdeen Youth Music Theatre. What a storming show it was: a sparkling performance of the Addams Family musical. It was difficult to believe that the eldest performers were only in their early teens, but most of the cast were younger. We were watching our respective grandsons in action. Both boys were singled out for high praise, as was the show in general, in a proper review published on a north-east website by a journalistic person who seemed to know what she was talking about. It was quite moving for our family to read such kind words of praise from an objective source heaped on my grandson, who played the tricky part of Lurch with such skill and aplomb. All the hugs and kisses outside the stage door afterwards showed how much family emotion floods through these out-of-school events, whatever activity is being pursued. Striving for personal excellence and understanding the importance of teamwork; a lesson for life of course, but are some children falling into a black hole through lack of firm direction and motivation? Contrast triumphant team spirit on stage – or similar pursuits – with the toxic desolation of school battlegrounds scarred by misogyny and violence; where teachers are abused or attacked routinely, but too frightened to complain. Aberdeen schools are in the firing line over this, but it's typical of what is happening in classrooms everywhere. When I saw some of the anarchic school scenes in the much-lauded TV drama Adolescence I was shocked and sceptical at first, but it seems they were holding up a mirror to reality. Thuggish kids ruling the roost, teachers hanging on desperately. Later, I was thinking of all this while standing outside a chip shop in Aberdeen of all places when 15 or so young lads cycled past in a large group in the middle of the road. All dressed in black hoodies with faces covered; some swearing loudly, others doing wheelies. Twerps, yes, but intimidating – full of arrogant swagger and looking ready for mischief. I might be too quick to judge. Maybe they belonged to a formation dance-cycling team which raises money for charity and performs other good deeds. I somehow doubted it. It seems schools struggle these days to impose proper discipline or make miscreants pay a price. Once upon a time, when I was training to be a child-protection counsellor, tutors kept hammering home the message that children must be challenged head on or face consequences – and, above all, 'don't put them on a pedestal'. I was terrified of some of my teachers; many had served in the war, which gave them a certain no-nonsense aura. Our metalwork teacher was so strict that we were convinced he had been in the SS – even though he was British. They say too many people are wrongly in prison because they have specialist needs which cannot be addressed properly by staff; the same might be said of some children in school, it would seem. I hate to make a song and dance about it, but some things need to be said.
Chicago Tribune
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Around the Southland: Oak Forest student film wins, health fair in Orland Park, more
Oak Forest HS students win silent film award Students from 11 Chicago-area high schools saw their original silent films brought to life on the big screen during the 2025 Student Silent Film Festival held earlier this year at Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. The three high school films named as winners were 'Unpredicted' from Oak Forest High School, 'Between the Panels' from Lake Forest High School and 'Friend Zone' from Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. 'Unpredicted,' directed by Ava Scott with director of photography Brody Lynch, featured Caiden Forbes, Kayla Thurmond, DeAnnah Bridges and Christian Padgett. Michael Lynch was the instructor. Other high schools participating include Dwight D. Eisenhower in Blue Island, Alan B. Shepard in Palos Heights, Bremen in Midlothian, Homewood-Flossmoor in Flossmoor, Lyons Township in LaGrange, Huntley, Mundelein and Barrington. Movies told their stories without the use of voices or sound effects. All were shown to the audience of more than 400 with live music accompaniment via the SilentFilmtronic 2000 keyboard by Derek Berg, CEO of the Clarendon Hills Music Academy, who founded the event with Ed Newmann of Hinsdale and Bill Allen, supervisor of Television Services at Lyons Township High School. Each participant received a high definition digital file of his or her movie with the accompaniment soundtrack. Films were reviewed by a panel of entertainment and art education industry professionals, who chose three winners based on camera work, lighting, editing, development and the quality of the story narrative. Families invited to annual health fair The annual Family Health Fair takes place from 9 a.m. to noon March 22 at the Village of Orland Park Sportsplex, 11351 W. 159th St. The free event, open to people of all ages, is sponsored by the village's recreation department. The fair will offer free screenings that include food allergies, injuries, blood pressure and obesity, as well as information on health issues that include nutrition counseling, running shoes, CPR and police and fire safety. Children who attend can try an obstacle course, soccer dribble, mini bounce house, face painting, a mini hoop shot, snacks and other activities. The Sportsplex T-Rex is expected to appear. Information is at 708-403-5000. Southland Prep students win top honors at state speech Five students at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park competed at the Illinois High School Association's State Speech Series last month in Peoria – and three of them were named state champions in their categories. Twin brothers Jeremiah and Jacob Smith, seniors, earned a first place in Humorous Duet Acting with their selection 'A Teenager's Guide to Surviving a Horror Movie: Run! Run! Run!' Junior Courtney Clemons earned a first place in Oratorical Declamation for her performance of 'The Power of Vulnerability.' Seniors Daija Alford and Ashiah Lee also took home awards, earning fifth place in Dramatic Duet Acting for their piece 'The Mountaintop' by Katori Hall. Southland CEO Blondean Davis recognized the coaching staff: co-head coach Cheryl Frazier, who founded the speech and forensics program at Southland, and co-head coach Cara Aljoe, as well as assistant coaches Malik Bibbie, John Anderson, Christopher Arnold, Deiarah Wright and Terrence Mayfield. Speech team members have won eight state championships as well as national titles under Frazier's leadership. Those Who Excel Awards earned by D230 employees School District 230 was recognized with three Those Who Excel Awards, which will be given out at the annual Illinois State Board of Education awards ceremony, all from Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park. They will go to a classroom teacher, support person and early career educator. An award for Meritorious Service was earned by teacher Claudia Parra-Carrillo. As a bilingual Spanish teacher in the English Learner Department, she uses her creativity to teach English to students from several countries. She also screens students, creates schedules, advocates for community support and helps families transition into the school community. Parra-Carrillo sourced translated directions in eight languages for the ACT, met with general education teachers on how to support EL students, created intervention plans for struggling students and proposed a schoolwide professional development on strategies to work with EL newcomer students. Building Manager Thomas Bell earned an award of Special Recognition and was recognized for his high level of communication, relaying status of projects and identifying future work to be done. He is credited with inspiring custodial and maintenance staff in their roles and how they partner with the rest of the staff and students. His employees 'are happier, more productive, and feel more like a part of the Victor J. Andrew High School family,' a news release noted. Early career educator Nowal Shalash, in her second year of teaching in the Special Education Department, served as a Math 2 co-taught and Math 2 instructional teacher but now serves the ULTIMA program for students with the most cognitive challenges. In that program, she created strong relationships with students and acted as a resource for parents. She is Arab Student Union sponsor and has been the head coach for Special Olympics for two years, building 'so many inclusive opportunities that VJA was recognized as a National Unified Champion Banner School for Special Olympics,' per the news release. It's just one of 12 schools to achieve that honor. Doll & Me Tea Party planned in Palos Heights The Palos Heights Parks and Recreation Center hosts Doll & Me Spring Tea Party from 10:30 a.m. to noon March 26 at the rec center, 6601 W. 127th St. Adults are invited to bring a child and his or her favorite doll to enjoy tea-time treats with a cup of apple juice, lemonade or hot chocolate. Attendees and their dolls will take home a special keepsake, and Princess Belle and Cinderella will appear. All ages of children are welcome. Tables cost $80 for residents and $104 for nonresidents and hold up to four guests. Sign up online or in person at the rec center. Art for the Season benefits Stagg's music programs Stagg High School Music Boosters hold Art for the Season, a spring arts and crafts festival, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 23 at the school, 111th St., Palos Hills. Booths for vendors, arts and crafts will be featured, as well as raffles and some entertainment by music students. A concession stand will be available. Admission is $3, which goes toward music programs at Stagg.
