On Friday and Sunday last week The Somersfield Academy hosted the production Harlequin.

Young Observer met with Tyler DoCouto at the dress rehearsal on Saturday morning.

Ten-year-old Tyler played the part of Harlequin on Sunday night.

On Friday Harlequin was played by Kate Tobin.

Tyler told us that he had been working hard the last five days learning his lines.

He went on to tell us that his favourite part is dance and his favourite singing part was “I have no costume to wear, I must go and fetch firewood”.

At the dress rehearsal it was easy to see that hours and hours of time which had been invested in the many beautiful costumes and set design.

Sanford Jones was the Composer and Director and Judy Jones was the choreographer.

Mr Jones a native of Virginia did his undergraduate work in music and history whilst Judy Jones holds a degree in theatre from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah.

Both have amazing resumes and it was clear to see their magical touch at the dress rehearsals as they ushered 60 to 80 students of all different ages to their positions.

Parents also rallied around in the background ensuring costumes and children were ready.

The Story of Harlequin

Harlequin lives in the town of Bergamo, in Northern Italy, during the Renaissance.

It is the day of Carnival, or “Fat Tuesday”, which marks the last day before the penitential season of Lent.

Harlequin’s friends show off their costumes for Carnival, and encourage Harlequin to join them, but he is the son of a poor widowed seamstress and has no costume to wear.

His friends decide to give him scraps of their own costumes with the hope that Harlequin can somehow use them to make a costume for himself.

He gives the pieces to his mother. She can see no use for them at first, but then promises to try to make a costume while Harlequin naps before the evening’s festivities.

While Harlequin sleeps, he dreams of being King of the city and of being entertained by the people.

As his dream continues, he sees himself as a poor, shabbily dressed boy whose friends ridicule him. His dream has become a nightmare.

When Harlequin awakens, he finds that his mother had made him a beautiful costume from his friend’s bits of cloth.

He goes to Carnival, and is admired by all. His costume is the most beautiful because he is clothed in the love of his friends.