Virtually Enchanted

Mikael and fellows take on the cyber age

Emdad Rahman: Ten year old Mikael Mustafa, a pupil at Hermitage has joined his fellow pupils to take part in a play at the St James Theatre, London. 

Virtual Enchantment is a fairy tale for the internet age. The play is performed by pupils from Hermitage Primary School in Tower Hamlets. How will Percy and his friends rescue Percy's sister, suffering from Internet Addiction Disorder and trapped in an online game?

"Virtual Enchantment is about things that are real to us," said Mikael. "It's about a girl who is addicted to a computer game. Her brother hacks into the game to save her from the ghastly web wizard."

Mikael, who has also performed live at the Hackney Empire theatre refers to his character Finn as a "geeky type gamer who hacks into a lot of games."

The Hermitage pupil said: "I like acting and practise at school with a professional actor. My favourite character who I am inspired by is Superman.

"It's a hobby which I would like to keep but in the future I would like a career as a Doctor."

Mikael and his fellow actors have been practising six hours a day for four weeks. 

His mother Amina is delighted: "I'm extremely proud. I realised he had a flair for acting when I watched him play Willy Wonka in a school adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We are very proud of him. It's something he enjoys, is good at and also keeps him out of trouble."

Written by William Seigfried, Virtual Enchantment is the winning Play for Young Performers in Trinity College London's 2013-14 International Playwriting Competition. 

The performances of Virtual Enchantment are part of Trinity's International Festival of Playwriting and Performance 2014, which runs from 7-10 May at the St. James Theatre.

Fun and free theatre for the whole family!

WHEN: Fri 9th May 2014 to

Sat 10th May 2014

WHERE: St. James Theatre, 12 Palace Street, Victoria SW1E 5JA

NEAREST STATION: Victoria

TIMES: Friday 9 May: 14:15 - 15.15 Saturday 10 May: 14:30 - 15:30 and 17.45 - 19:00 (with short award ceremony)

ADMISSION: Free