Bullies and their victims get some understanding as well as compassion in The Bullying Games, a play based on real-life experiences of School District 43 students.
The show, featuring a talented SD43 cast, was produced, written and directed by drama educator Mandy Tulloch but was initiated by Terry Fox leadership students and their teacher Dean Whitson.
Given the fact that the subject is sensitive, and often complex, the Bullying Games is a great vehicle for providing information and suggestions about ways to handle different kinds of bullying.
For example, instead of lecturing students about the consequences of bullying, the Bullying Games uses music, song, dance and even martial arts to demonstrate the power of human feelings. In one instance, a teenager recognizes the effects of his verbal bullying when he is followed by his peers, who are some extremely talented SD43 dancers and martial artists. They represent his feelings coming back to haunt him.
In the end, he learns that he is happier if he is kinder to others. There are many other lessons in the production, which Tulloch hopes she can take on the road. "I'm hoping to get sponsorship," she said, so the production can be re-launched in the fall.
The Bullying Games is a competition where kids have to reveal their bullying crimes, reflect on them and make amends. The stories in this futuristic tale are gripping, probably because they are based on real life stories drawn from interviews with SD43 students.
Students who saw the production this past week learned about racial bullying, cyber bullying, relationship bullying, physical bullying, hazing and some of the circumstances that might lead to bullying. There were some standout songs, especially one by "Jakus 12" who bullied because he didn't fit into his new school. "I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare," he sang in a touching tribute to being young and alone.
For the older crowd, there are many humorous moments to appreciate, especially one hilarious scene where a relationship bully "Susan" can't give up her iPhone to have a serious conversation with her friend.
What's so enjoyable about The Bullying Games, is that the characters are given a chance to explain their situation and the audience comes to realize how people can make mistakes but they can also change for the better.
Throw in some great songs, fabulous costumes, humorous asides from a clown "Achoo Sneeze", and terrific lighting and choreography, and you have a fully-realized, professional-quality production that more people should see.
The production is particularly notable, given the deaths of Amanda Todd, a PoCo student who was cyberbullied, and, most recently, Rehtaeh Parsons, the alleged victim of a gang rape who is also believed to have been cyberbullied.
As of Wednesday, some tickets were still available for the Saturday, April 13 1 p.m. matinee. The production takes place at Terry Fox Theatre in Port Coquitlam and tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students. Please contact [email protected] for ticket information.
The final show is Saturday night's evening production, but the tickets are sold out.
