Riverside Primary School perform at Floral Pavilion as a 'thank you'

The children, from Riverside Primary School in Seacombe, have been invited to perform their poems to parents and the wider community at the Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton.

The youngsters, performing under the name ‘Kingfishers’, are fresh from wowing the audience at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London after their success in the final of the nationwide ‘Poetry by Heart’ competition, which was founded by former Poet Laureate, Sir Andrew Motion.

The group was honoured in the Freestyle category and brought the audience to their feet performing their Shakespeare medley on the Globe stage, the theatre on London’s South Bank that is a faithful reconstruction of the original Elizabethan-era playhouse where the Bard made his name.

As a way of saying ‘well done’ and ‘thank you’ for them representing Wirral so proudly at the Poetry by Heart final, the stage at Wirral’s flagship theatre, the Floral Pavilion, is being given over to the school next week to put on a free show for their parents and the community.

Pupils are Riverside Primary School (Image: Wirral Council)

Cllr Helen Cameron, Chair of the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee for Wirral Council, "What an achievement it is for these young people to be honoured in this national poetry competition and to get to tread the boards at the famous Globe Theatre.

"For many of them, this will have been their first time on a stage like that – for some, it may even have been their first experience of a theatre. What better way to foster this experience by inviting them and their families to their local venue, just down the road in New Brighton. It is going to be a lovely occasion and I hope many people are able to attend and support."

Headteacher's comments...

Christina Lahive, Headteacher at Riverside Primary School, added: "Watching the children of Riverside perform Shakespeare at The Globe with such verve, charisma and heart was one of the proudest moments of my teaching career.  

"I cannot thank The Floral Pavilion enough for giving us this amazing opportunity to celebrate the children’s achievement with the rest of our extended Riverside family. 

"The whole school is buzzing with excitement because it is also an opportunity for all our children to experience giving their own creative performance at a professional theatre. What a joyous way to end a brilliant school year."