Students from Aldergrove's Betty Gilbert Middle School are hoping to share their theatrical talents with the public this coming week—and make a difference in their community while they're at it. On Thursday and Friday, they'll be performing Smelly Socks, based on the book by famed Canadian author Robert Munsch. Audience members are requested to bring canned or dry food donations that will go to families in need. Cash donations are also accepted.
The book is based on a storytelling session Munsch did in 1984 at the Hay River Reserve in the Northwest Territories. Only three children showed up, so Munsch made up a new story about each. One girl named Tina Fabian had brightly coloured socks, so his story involved her loving her socks so much that she never wanted to take them off. Munsch kept adding to it over the years and eventually turned it into a book in 2003 after getting in touch with Tina again and getting photos of her as a child.
Christie Friesen, a Grade Eight teacher at the school who's helping put on the play, said Munsch's story translates perfectly into a middle-school play.
"It's a story about a girl looking to find something that represents her as she helps others in their time of need," Friesen said.
Performances are at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 26 and 27 at the school, located at 26845 27th Avenue.
- Andrew Bucholtz