Monsieur Gaston
This idea started back in 2003 when I was looking for a simple vehicle (easy to transport, not too expensive or logistically difficult to stage) in which to educate English kids to other cultures through language because I was travelling and working a lot in France, though living in the north east of England. I came up with this friendly French shopkeeper character called Mr Gaston, based on the popular French cartoon hero 'Gaston Le Gaff'. I spoke English in the show but with a strong French accent (which I started doing from the moment I drove through the school gates - much to the bemusement of many receptionists and teachers as well as their charges!) and then performed to groups of primary school children. The show had set grammar objectives such as numbers, colours, greetings and simple vocabulary but was always improvised. It fitted neatly into the 50 minutes of an average class period. I played to 101 schools (about 5000 kids in all) over a two-year period, also took it to France and performed it in English (Mr Jones - English Shopkeeper!) then developed a new show by having Mr Gaston cook French crepes and have the kids join in and learn at the same time.
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Gaston the Shopkeeper |
Reviews |
Gaston the Chef |
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French shopkeeper Pierre Gaston brings ‘is delicious array of ze edible delights for your delectation ! ‘e ‘as fruit and vegetables, eggs, flowers, bons-bons, chocolat. All zat is required iz for some brave children to speak just an tinsy-winsy bit of French to ‘im to ‘elp ‘im feel at ‘ome while ‘e is away from ‘is beloved France. But don’t worry, for alzough Monsieur Gaston is French, he speaks ze English wiz ze most outrageous accent!!! |
“My only problem will be to make the lessons as stimulating!” – Whitley Memorial, Bedlington . . . “Well paced, fun and very educational” – Harraton Primary, Gateshead . . . “Lots of body language, repetition and facial expressions” – Springhead School, Scarborough . . . “Absolutely brilliant!” - Warwick Road School, Bishop Auckland . . . “Excellent in every way!” – Hawthorn Primary, Newcastle . . . “Children and staff were convinced you were French!” – St Godric’s, Thornley |
French Chef Extraordinaire! Jack-of-all-trades, Pierre Gaston will come to your school wiz ‘is one-ring mini electric cooker, utensils and ingredients and – before your very eyes and of course wiz ze ‘elp of ze audience – not only will ‘e tell you ze French words for foodstuffs, ingredients, weights and colours but also ‘e will make delicious crèpes (pancakes) wiz a variety of fillings just for you! Pierre will conduct ‘is Crèpes Cookery Class mostly in French but don’t worry - ‘e speaks English wiz ze most outrageous accent! |
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