First-Time Theatre Magic: Year 3 Students Experience Anansi the Spider

120 Year 3 students (aged 7-8) from The Olive School Small Heath had an unforgettable first encounter with live theatre at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, thanks to a theatre works! grant. It was their very first time in a theatre and the reactions were full of joy, laughter, and excitement.

Anansi the Spider is a lively children’s theatre show based on traditional West African and Caribbean folk tales featuring the clever and mischievous spider‑trickster, Anansi. The stories imagine a time long ago when animals could speak and walk like people, and Anansi is known for using his wit and sometimes cheeky tricks to try to outsmart others and solve problems.

The production brings these classic tales to life with live music, singing, dancing, and storytelling designed especially for young audiences. It’s a fun, colourful, and interactive show that celebrates culture, humour, and storytelling traditions from West African and Caribbean folklore.

‘It was my first time watching a live theatre production and I have never experienced anything like it before. It made me feel really excited and happy,’ shared one pupil.

Another reflected on the interactive elements: ‘The songs were amazing! I loved singing along and getting high-fived by the characters, it made me feel like I was part of the show.’

Anansi the Spider captivated the students with its humour and immersive storytelling. Many loved when Anansi himself joined the audience: ‘It was funny and made everyone laugh,’ one child recalled, while another said, ‘I liked it because Anansi was funny and he came near us and we sang the songs and it didn’t feel like sitting still like lessons, it was really fun.’

The impact of the performance went beyond the theatre. ‘All of the children thoroughly enjoyed the performance. The impact continued well after the show ended, when they returned to class, they were still singing the songs and talking excitedly about the characters. It was wonderful to see how engaged and inspired they were,’ noted their teacher.

The immersive nature of the performance allowed children to sit on stage, feel part of the story, and fully connect with the characters. ‘The interactive songs were a real highlight, with pupils singing along and engaging enthusiastically as the characters moved through the audience, high-fiving and connecting with them. It created such a joyful and inclusive atmosphere,’ said their teacher.

For these Year 3 students, Anansi the Spider wasn’t just a show, it was a first-time theatre experience that left them smiling, singing, and inspired to explore more of the magic that live performance can bring.