Round, Round, The Unmerry-Go-Round

Alex and Charlie have lots of fun at the playground. They have recently been very into magic and spells, pretending to be monster-busting wizards with their robes, wands and all-powerful Book of Spellz — until the day someone else arrives, and everything changes. Someone pushes someone, someone says something mean and it goes round and round and round. . .

What happens when the playground is no longer a fun place to be? With no adults around, what can the children do? Will they ever be able to get off this unmerry-go-round?

Round, Round, The Unmerry-Go-Round is a new Theatre for Young Audience performance by The Little Players, the outreach wing of The Finger Players. Developed in conversation with researchers, social workers and children, it aims to examine experiences of hurtful behaviours among children, and untangle a little bit of the complex and multifaceted nature of these situations, where the lines between who is hurting whom are not always clear.

Round, Round, The Unmerry-Go-Round is written by playwright Thomas Lim and directed by TFP Core Team Member Ellison Tan, with dramaturgy by TFP Core Team Member Sindhura Kalidas.

Learning Objectives: 1. Recognise different forms of bullying and understand their impact on individuals, relationships, and the wider community. 2. Develop strategies for expressing needs and emotions respectfully. 3. Practise responses to conflict and people in need. 4. Cultivate an appreciation for puppetry and the performing arts as tools for emotional expression, social reflection, and communication.

Accessibility options: Wheelchair accessible, Calm spaces