Room 613 Student Blogs - 2005/2006

What do you usually think of a book compared to the play? For those of you that saw it, what would you rate it? Our class went on a field trip to see the play, The Giver and we thought there were some positives and negatives about it after we saw it. We had compared it to the book for accuracy, and for any parts missing. First, we found out that 15 out of 18 students liked the book better than the play. The National Theatre Club was on tour, and they had to fit a significant part of The Giver into an 80 minute production. As you know, you wouldn’t be able to fit every detail of The Giver into a play. However, they jumped right into the Ceremony of 12, and there was only 6 people attending. Even the little things, like braids not in Lily’s hair were caught. In the end, they were really rushed and they skipped all of the escape because they said he just left. He had reached Elsewhere in no time and people that never read the book wouldn’t catch on. Despite the negatives, there are positives, and one thing I found they did well was they had really good sound effects. The grabbing of emotion was well done by the Club. A whole play would be so hard to act that some parts are going to have to be skipped. When they took questions, they said sometimes they would alter plays, but most things can’t be changed even though they are. This was a good play to go to, but it could be better.

March, 28 2006, our school’s 6th grade went to go see a play as a field trip along with many more schools. The play was based on the book The Giver. I would say my favorite part of the play was when Jonas first saw color, because I thought it was really cool how just all of a sudden the color all around on the stage turned red. I also liked it because of the creativity the crew did with the lights. Just to shock people they changed the lights red for one second. The drama was great, the make up was great, [and] I loved it.

Jonas is a male, 11, growing up in a colorless, feelingless world. It’s December in his community and almost time for ceremonies throughout the community, but Jonas is worried. When he is skipped for assignments he is even more fretful! Then suddenly as the apology leaves the head elders mouth he began to relax. He was selceted to be the new Reciever of Memory. He goes through painfull, endless training.

It has now been a year and Jonas has witnessed many different memories, and his father releasing a newborn. Jonas is horriefied of this process and to comort him and put him at ease he stays with the Giver. They make a plan for Jonas to run away to “Elsewhere” and his memories will be transmitted to the community. Jonas is ready to leave the next day when a voice on the loud speaker tells [him] that Gabe will be released. Jonas steals Gabe, extra left overs from dwellings around the community and his father’s scooter. They reach the other side of the river and then walk and walk and walk. And then ahead of them in the distance is a community waiting for Jonas, and the newchild, Gabe.

The Giver Theater Review

Have you ever seen the play, The Giver? If you haven’t here is a review to get you prepared to see it.

The production starts with you entering the room. Then you see the set, which is made up of paintings for backdrops and there are two projectors to show the announcements made by the elders of the community. Then the theater part of the productions begins shortly.

The Giver is about a boy named Jonas who becomes the next reciever of memory. The story is an exciting one, you never know what will happen next.

There were many great features in the play. For instance, the acting and how the actors stayed in character even when it wasn’t there turn to speak. Also, the costumes were grand because they were grey to give a visual that the community can’t see color. Another good thing about the play was that, with the small number of props they had, the production was still very awesome. However, one bad thing about the play was that sometimes It was a little hard to hear what they were saying. Overall, the production was fantastic though!

Now when you go see the play The Giver, you’ll know what to expect about the acting, but the end of the story will remain a surprise!

Today for a feild trip we went to go see The Giver.The book The Giver was writen by Lois Lowry.But we didn’t read the book we saw a play.It was so cool to go see it done out as a play.I couldn’t believe that they could put the book into a play. We saw the play at East Hartford High.The play was performed by theater workers,and they were really good.I loved all of the features of the play too. Like in this one part everytime Jonas saw the color red,it would flash red. It was so cool. Anyway it lasted for about a hour I think. So if you would like to learn more click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Giver

I got my picture at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Giver

The play was a lot different! They skipped a lot of parts although it was good and funny. Lily was the best, I think, and all of the cast were in the acting business. They all were in the same costumes, and at the end they had little triangles to show that Jonas saw colors. One was red,orange,and another color. They also had slides so they would show the memories. For example, they showed the twin getting “released”. The screen also showed announcements to the community. Overall, it was really good.

On Tuesday, March 28, 2006, our sixth grade group went to a play based on the award winning book The Giver. I’m about to tell you about what happened during this play and how the play was related to the book.

The play in many ways was similar to the book, but in many ways wasn’t. However I will start with the positives and how the play was similar to the book. The play followed the main story line fairly well and I would rate this part (1-10) about a 7.5. Also most of the characters were there like, Jonas, Fiona and Asher. BUT they left out one of the key players in Jonas’s finding out what a release was. They left out Larrisa who told Jonas of Roberto, the old man who was released in a glorious ceremony. But there was about only one other BIG problem I picked out and that was that the actors did not use bikes like the people did in the community. Insted they used scooters!

Overall the play was a fun experience, my favorite part was when the Giver was transmiting the memories to Jonas and they used a projecter to project the memories that he was receiving on a wall.

I would recommend this play to whoever loves a mystery type of story with suspense added.