One of the attractions of Gozo 1234, the four-day festival spread over various localities in Gozo last week, was The Button Box by students of Sir Arturo Mercieca, Victoria Primary School. They gave two performances to two packed audiences at the school. About 200 students, aged between seven and 11, took audiences on a voyage around the world.

The trip started at grandma's house where her two grandchildren were staying for some time.

Trapped inside the house because of bad weather, the children are bored stiff for want of an amusing activity... until they find grandma's button box.

The children are fascinated by the various shapes and designs of the buttons and enthralled by the exciting stories narrated by grandma on each one.

Thus, grandma's narratives takes audiences to Australia, China, Jamaica, Ireland, Africa and India.

They were also regaled with scenes from World War I, a sailors' tavern and other theatrical ambiences.

The performance was under the musical direction of Mariella Spiteri and the artistic direction of George Mizzi.