In the Belly of the Horse

In the Belly of the Horse is a brand new fully interactive opera for Key Stage 2 pupils, and is the third of a trilogy of new operas. With music by Rachel Leach the piece explores the fantastic story that leads the Greeks to build the wooden horse. As the Greeks wait in the horse to cause havoc in Troy stories are told to calm their nerves. The story is told in many different and engaging ways. Its elements include acting, singing, instrumental music, dance, and design. It is performed by a multi-skilled cast of 5 professional performers, and is fully designed and costumed. The opera is the third of three new operas based on classical myths. In the Belly of the Horse lasts an hour and a quarter.

In the Belly of the Horse supports various areas of the curriculum, including literacy, history, maths and science, art and design, as well as drama and music. It is suitable for pupils aged 7 years and upwards. The piece is fully interactive and is accompanied by a comprehensive teachers’ pack, CDs (with sheet music) of songs for the pupils to learn, and cartoons (by Sarah Lenton) that tell the story of the opera. All support material will be sent out well before the date of the performance.

Kevin Madeley, Headteacher, Kiveton Park Meadows Junior School, Kiveton, Sheffield, wrote of Crossing the Styx, our first opera in 2006:

The production was excellent. The performance and the interaction with the children was excellent. The support material was excellent. The standard of performance was excellent and gave the children targets for aspiration. Our children love opera. We particularly liked the challenging nature of the songs we were to learn in preparation…. The children really did have to listen, interpret and think… The opera supported our history curriculum enormously as well as our music and English curriculum.

Joan Johnson year 6 teacher, St James C of E Junior School, Barrow on Voithia!, our second opera:

BRILLIANT! Very good resources – easy to use with all year groups. Good for all ages to promote appreciation of the Arts. It something the children will always remember, one of the children said ‘it was absolutely fabulous. I could watch it over and over again!!!!!!!!’’

Alison Williams year 4 teacher, Tickhill Estfeld Primary School: Doncaster, on Voithia! (Part Two) in 2008:

The show was inspirational in all aspects of the arts – drama, music, dance. It captured the imagination of the children and adults alike! Even our youngest children were mesmerised from start to finish. The project was particularly helpful for our pupils studying mythology and literacy-related work. Just Brilliant! Excellent!