PICTURES: Opera curse brings out the best in Cluny Primary kids!
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A CURSE descended on Cluny Primary in Buckie recently – but it was all good fun.
The hoodoo in question was actually Scottish Opera's gothic horror The Curse of MacCabbra Opera House, part of the company's education and outreach programme which saw them spend a day at the school on March 8 working with P6-7 pupils, culminating in two 30-minute shows.
The production follows writers Compo Zerr and Libby Retto as they work late into the night to finish their new opera at the MacCabbra Opera House. However, there is more to their helpful host Dee Parton than meets the eye, and as the clock strikes midnight the singers, workers and critics of the old Opera House rise from their graves to give Compo and Libby some horrifying help.
The question audiences are left asking themselves is: Compo and Libby hold their nerve to finish their masterpiece?
Cluny headteacher Laura Smith said: "All the P6-7 pupils were involved – they had a workshop from 10am-12 noon then a dress rehearsal performed in front of the school.
"They finished the day with a performance for the parents.
"Scottish Opera bring all the costumes and props for the performances and the pupils all really loved it.
"As well as being fun it gave them experience of being in a real production, some of them really got into character. it was also an excellent opportunity see some inspirational opera singers."
Ms Smith added that the event fitted in with the school's wider expressive arts curriculum.
The day marked a welcome return of the performance for parents – while Scottish Opera were able to return to the school after lockdown last year, Covid regulations meant that invitations could not be extended to parents.
Cluny was one of seven Moray schools on Scottish Opera's national tour, taking in a total of 120 schools and around 9000 pupils across the country.
