‘The Cardboard Knight’ battles demons

‘Thou Shalt Not Break The Rules’ is the very fabric of Mrs Dimwither’s existence – played by Karmilla Pillay-Siokos – and taking over as governess of a children’s home from the much-loved and easy-going headmaster Gravy brings an inevitable conflict.

“She’s very To The Letter, All People Will Be Fired, Heads Will Roll, all that sort of mentality,” Pillay-Sikious says.

And it is in The Cardboard Knight, and with the Cardboard Knight himself, that Dimwither’s demons are battled and as one of myriad tales of self-growth and self-exploration in the world, this one has its own unique twist.

Based on a short story by Jeanna Clements, the script for the play was developed with the actors, principally children.

The twist behind the twist is the children are “un-schooled”, to use the popular term.

It’s not every child who responds well to the boxes, the rigidity, and the demands of “normal” education and many parents could probably testify to constantly struggling with a balking child who suffers poor grades, ill-discipline, yet is obviously highly intelligent and generally happy.

Until that school uniform comes out and all hell breaks loose.

“Simply, un-schooling is an educational system which allows a child to develop at their own pace. You just help them with what they are already doing,” said Pillay-Sikious.

Clements says every child is completely unique. “Some children might be ready to read at four years old, others are ready at 10, this one is ready for maths before reading and vice versa, so it’s 100% at the child’s pace,” Clements says.

Eventually, it all evens out by the time it’s time for matric exams, says Clements, and notes there is a growing home-schooling community in Johannesburg.

“If they start young enough, they never learn a difference between work and play, and even maths can be enjoyed,” Clements says.

Discipline, education, and even daily life becomes a collaboration between everyone in the family – with the adults obviously providing a guiding hand – however, at the end of the day a negotiated decision may have a compromise, yet it also comes with acceptance, responsibility and weight.

The message that the children are conscious beings rather than robotic mini-me’s is one of a few the play – staged at Waverley Girl Guides Hall, 51 Stirling Street, corner Scott St, Waverley, Johannesburg, between July 9 and 17  – puts across.

The Cardboard Knight has its own Facebook page and for show times, pop an e-mail to cardboardknightplay@gmail.com. – amandaw@citizen.co.za