Dreaming of a brighter future
Meet the star of a new play about a magical journey to the sea floor.
Anew play called Shō and the Demons of the Deep by National Theatre Scotland is inspired by a children’s picture book by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko.
The Week Junior spoke to Rebecca Wilkie, who plays Hana, the main character. Hana is the youngest of three generations, and it’s with her grandma Shō that the story begins. Sixty years earlier, Shō had the idea to throw her unwanted nightmares into the city’s river. Her plan worked so well that lots of other people did the same but all those nightmares have polluted the river and Hana must find a way to save her home. The magical journey takes Hana from big cities to the ocean floor and shows the importance of courage. Wilkie says the play, written by Zoë Bullock, is relevant to the world today. “It’s about what we need to overcome in order to have the best possible future and different generations working together,” she explains. “It’s also about being brave, family and dreams.”
Wilkie says she sees herself in Hana, “I’m similar to Hana because she’s headstrong. She wants the world to be a better place. She’s also cheeky.”
One of Wilkie’s favourite parts of the play is the puppetry. She says she enjoyed learning the language of the puppets, such as how a little tilt of the head can mean so many different things. Putting the show together has been a team effort, Wilkie says, and they are ready to welcome audiences. “The play is fun and funny. We are hoping that it will leave people feeling like the future is positive,” she explains.
Shō and the Demons of the Deep is suitable for ages 8 and over, and is touring Scotland until 5 June.