Le FSE

On Friday 25th January, we attended a show during nearly 1 hour about London, and more especially about Covent Garden. It has been written and performed by Jane Rony. Her character was a costermonger called Pearl. This name is to pay tribute to her great-great-great grandfather who has been elected Pearly King.

During the show, Pearl was wonderful because she danced doing tap-dancing, it was very impressive ! She also interacted with the audience and it was interesting. Moreover, we learnt many things about the culture in London with the costermongers, a cockney Rhyming Slang and Covent Garden.
If you want to have more information, you can see on the site :

www.pearlykingsandqueens.com

On the 25^th January, the actress Jane Rony came to the Lycée Descartes to perform the premiere of a one woman show in front of 222 students. The show’s name is Because I’m a Londoner… and it tells the story of Pearl, a young costermonger, who sells souvenirs in Covent Garden.

The class of 2^nd5 shared some of their thoughts about it. Most found the show interesting, entertaining and great. It taught them many things about London, about the hidden culture of the pearly king and queens. The actress talked in Cockney rhyming slang with a particular accent, which added a charm but also made it difficult to understand. Moreover, according to the students, she talked too quickly. However, to help them understand, she explained her words with gestures and expressions.

She also interacted a lot with the audience. Marie Vilbois, from the 2^nd5, prepared a little dialogue with the actress and went on stage. She thinks it was an enriching experience, because she never acted in front of such a public or in English before.

To conclude, it was a successful first time for this show !

During the play, we had the chance to discover a little bit more about the job of being an actor. In fact, we believe that the most important quality on stage is the capacity of the actor to put himself /herself in a character and stick to it. He or she has to be loud enough and articulate every word to be understood by all. Usually a big trait of an actor is that they are extrovert and not shy in public. For an actor to be recognized among many he/she has to be at least a little original. For example during this play at some point, she was tap dancing and also singing.  She made her own jacket with pearls (like her name) and she was exchanging with the audience. She had a presence and that’s what makes the difference between good acting and great acting.

Journalist : Welcome to the set Pearl! How are you?

Pearl : I’m great thank you! How about you?

Journalist : Fine thanks! So today you’re here to speak about your great-great-great grandfather right? I heard that he was someone absolutely wonderful! Tell us more about him.

Pearl : First thank you, that’s really nice from you, I’m sure he would have appreciated it. I’m super proud to be a member of his family. Of course I’m super proud of my job and also to be a Cockney. His name was George Stack and he is the one who is inspiring me every day.

Journalist : That’s so cute!

Pearl : During his whole life, he fought for the rights of  the poor, always against the police. He helped people finding their ways. He was brave, such an example.

Journalist :  He deserves a lot of respect. And what was his job?

Pearl : He was a costermonger and sold some fresh fruit and vegetables, from a basket or a wooden cart in the streets of London. But one thing we should of course remember is that he was elected Pearly King.

Journalist : Oh well that’s great! Can you explain us more about this title?

Pearl : He found some buttons on the floor in the streets of the city and he sewed them on his jacket. He had a stick and a hat with buttons on it.

Journalist : And I heard about Cockney Rhyming Slang. Could you tell us what is that?

Pearl : Yeah of course. It consists of a secret language, for communicating between Cockneys.

Journalist : What did he like?

Pearl : He liked the song “I am a Londoner” and he did tap dancing.

Journalist : Thanks for all your answers. It was really interesting.