A passion for environmentalism and a love of performance are happily colliding for Jessica Gerger as the Sunshine actor takes her new play to primary schools across Brimbank.
Gerger, president of the Friends of Kororoit Creek, created her play – Mrs Ticklebottom And The Plastic Problem – to spread the anti-litter message to schools and have a bit of a laugh along the way.
“I’m just so passionate about the environment – and I wanted to create a play about that, and the effects of plastics in the ocean, that children could enjoy,” she said.
“We’ve done three schools so far … the response has been fantastic, so we’re hoping to get the word out and do many more.”
The play follows a grumpy English lady who ends up stranded on the side of a freeway, where she meets all sorts of animals affected by plastic pollution.
As in Charles Dickens’ classic tale
A Christmas Carol, the animals take the title character on a journey of redemption.
“The kids really adore it – the reactions we get are fantastic and the feedback is that the message gets through,” Gerger said.
“We’ve heard the school yards are cleaner than ever after we do the show, and the kids are chanting about evil plastic in the playground, which is fantastic. I think if you put the message into a fun medium it really sticks for kids.”
Five per cent of all money made from the play will go towards the work of the Friends of Kororoit Creek. Details: www.facebook.com/MrsTicklebottom
