Students from Ealing’s University of West London have taken an original musical into local primary schools to help children explore themes of fairness, empathy and standing up against injustice.
What Did I Zoo? was created and performed by BA Musical Theatre students at the university’s London College of Music in partnership with the School of Human and Social Sciences.
The production follows Mandy, a young mandrill who dreams of returning to the jungle. While living at the zoo, she discovers that Paulina the Polar Bear is being treated unfairly and sets out to make things right, taking young audiences on a journey centred on courage, kindness and speaking up when something is wrong.
Combining music, movement and comedy, the show introduces Key Stage 2 pupils to ideas around rights, responsibilities and respect for others.
The production also gave the musical theatre students practical experience of creating original theatre for young audiences.
The project draws on research led by Dr Maya Flax, associate professor in criminology, examining how Jewish prisoners in the UK navigate their religious identity and whether they experience antisemitism while incarcerated.
Dr Flax said: “What Did I Zoo? explores rules, boundaries and consequences, but it is equally a story about rehabilitation, personal growth and recognising that people are more than the worst mistake they have ever made.”
