Shevchenko School digs into drama

Students at Shevchenko School in Vita are doing the spade work on a new drama this year.

Director Aaron Klassen said the cast of close to 20 Grade 7 to 12 students will present Holes, a drama based on the number one New York Times bestselling book of the same name.

The production, which will play for two shows, Thursday and Friday, will be a change from past years.

Last year the school ventured into fantasy with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and the year before it was all about mystery with Clue.

“We were looking for something different,” Klassen said. “It’s an interesting novel. It’s just a fun kind of drama.”

The synopsis of Holes centers around the character Stanley Yelnats.

He’s under a curse that Klassen said began with his “no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather”.

Stanley is unjustly sent to a boys’ detention centre where he and his fellow inmates spend all day digging holes.

In time Stanley realizes they’re digging holes because the warden is looking for something.

He tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime, punishment and redemption.

Klassen said he’s impressed with his cast and how far they’ve come.

“They’ve stepped up to the challenge,” he said.

The play takes place at Shevchenko School on May 8 and 9, beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available at the door for rush seating.