He was cast as the Giant in a re-worked version of Jack and the Beanstalk - mostly because he is really good at stomping and glowering and he has a big voice. Of course all the most prominant personality traits of a five year old tend to fade away under the blinding lights of the stage - or in this case, rows of parents in a community hall. But it was cute.
Most of the kids stood shell-shocked and expressionless while Joan, their teacher, read an animated narration that included physical prompts and verbal cues. Apparently the lack of expression was, in most cases, due to intense listening for these cues; for suddenly a mini actor would momentarily spring to life and say their lines; some with more expression than others. Liam kept up the glowering, but it is pretty hard to stomp barefoot on a linoleum coated cement floor - nothing to reverberate. And his much reduced big voice wasn't too bad in comparison to some, not as good projection as others. Only one little girl burst into tears - but then the golden harp always was prone to emotional outbursts. All in all an big success!
So Liam has had his first taste of the Horak trade; I wonder where he will take it from here?
