Class 5 recently presented their production of 'Gilgamesh'.  Around 5000 years ago, the story of Gilgamesh was first etched into stone tablets in ancient Mesopotamia. It is an epic story of friendship, determination and the quest for immortality. The titular character was an actual historical figure, a king of great renown who befriends a wild man, Enkidu, himself created by the gods to subdue Gilgamesh. Upon discovering that their size and strength were evenly matched, the two became friends and set about conquering the evil monster Humbaba. In doing so, they incur the wrath of Ishtar, who ensures Enkidu's swift demise. Heartbroken that he should lose his mighty companion so quickly, Gilgamesh resolves to seek out the secret of immortality so that he might never meet the same fate as Enkidu. His quest is beset by challenges physical, emotional and mental, and he must overcome all of these to reach his goal. 

The Class 5 production was set in the round, which was a new and challenging experience for the children. This innovation was a tip of the hat to the fact that the ancient Mesopotamians are also credited with inventing the wheel. Imagined from above, the stage and seating area resembled the hub, spokes and rounded exterior of a wheel. 

As Gilgamesh was challenged on his quest, so too the children of Class 5 as they learnt their lines, cues, stage directions and songs. Above all, the children had a rich experience of working collaboratively to achieve a communal goal. The great success of the production was a testament to their dedication, resolve and commitment over an intense period of rehearsals. It is a distinctly human gift to reach back into history and recreate a story of the past in the present, and it was our pleasure to offer his gift to the Golden Hill community.