Play feeds healthy eating message to children

Witch Cellulita cackled loudly as she sang about fattening up the children with burgers, cheesecakes, ice creams and chips before putting them in the cauldron and eating the little urchins for dinner.

Listening to her tune, the Year 3 students from St Francis School, Cospicua, squealed in delight and a tinge of fear as they yesterday settled in at the theatre of Mikelanġ Borg Drama Unit, in Blata l-Bajda.

Weighed down by the global threat of the obesity epidemic and the growing proportions of children in Malta, the unit's team are staging an educational play that drives home the message of healthy eating.

Titled Hans u Greta, the Maltese play is loosely adapted on the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel in a bid to capture the imagination of the children with a familiar story that has a completely different message.

Adrian Buckle, who wrote and directed the play, explained that this was the culmination of a project that had started off last year with schoolchildren from the Żejtun Primary A on healthy eating habits and exercise.

Since many youngsters often tucked into crisps, burgers and cheesecakes over lunch and in a bid to reinforce the message being put forward by schools for a more nutritious lunch, Mr Buckle felt this play should be staged.

The play, which is being performed for all Year 3 students in Malta until the end of this month, will have been watched by nearly 2,200 schoolchildren.

"We were impressed with the feedback we received from teachers. As a drama unit we can contribute tremendously to children's education through theatre. We try to get the message across in a fun way," Mr Buckle said.

The schoolchildren watching yesterday's show were clearly enjoying the play, and they helped Super Brunġielu say the magic words - exercise and healthy food is good for us - to cast a spell on the witch.

They also gave their input when asked what food the children in the play should eat to lead a healthy lifestyle - they readily mentioned fruit, vegetables, cereals and yoghurt. Mr Buckle encouraged the students to go back to class and list down five things they had to do to live healthily and to send in the feedback to the drama unit.

"We're looking forward to hearing what they have to say. We hope this short play will have left a lasting impact and influence their food choices," he added.

The characters of the play are acted out by Michael Tabone, Bernardo Riolo, Leontine Spiteri, Dominic Said, Ray Mamo and Valerie Blow.