Shipwrecked en France, a play put on by the Onatti theatre company at Taverham Hall school. Photo: Bill Smith

Youngsters’ language skills were given a theatrical boost when they watched a play in French at their school yesterday.

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Taverham Hall School was the venue for Onatti Theatre Company’s production of Shipwrecked en France – a story about a 13-year-old schoolboy who gets stranded in his dinghy while on holiday across the Channel.

An audience of pupils from years three to six were joined by about 30 children from Taverham Junior School.

The company specialises in performing plays to young children in foreign languages to help motivate them in their lessons.

The actors – one English, one French – enjoyed performing to a responsive audience and even picked a few “volunteers” to be involved in some of the scenes, who were encouraged to use their new language skills.

The event was an initiative of the school’s French department, headed by Sarah Menegaz, to help build the students’ confidence and their understanding of spoken French.

Sharon Gabriel, a member of staff at the school, said: “All the pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed the performance.”