Amateur Durham University Education Department record of children's rehearsals for performances in 1966 at Pelton Infant School, Chester-le-Street: The Man Who Lost His Armour (19th January, 1966); The Selfish King (2nd February, 1966); Pelton Junior School presenting 'The Professor's Death Plant' shot during third class. Title: [written on blackboard] Pelton Infants School ‘The Man Who Lost His Armour’ – First Run Through 19.1. 66 A group of pupils sit on a classroom or...

Amateur Durham University Education Department record of children's rehearsals for performances in 1966 at Pelton Infant School, Chester-le-Street: The Man Who Lost His Armour (19th January, 1966); The Selfish King (2nd February, 1966); Pelton Junior School presenting 'The Professor's Death Plant' shot during third class. Title: [written on blackboard] Pelton Infants School ‘The Man Who Lost His Armour’ – First Run Through 19.1. 66 A group of pupils sit on a classroom or school hall floor. Their teacher addresses them as he sits in front. The pupils stand up, as he directs them as to what they need to do for their performance. Some of the pupils lie on the floor while others move amongst them. Those on the floor appear to be asleep. One of the boys moves amongst those now awake; he seems to be looking for something. Some of the others fall to the floor again as if struck down by sleep. Two of the boys get up and one walks up to one of the girls and speaks with her. Lots of running around follows, then everyone gathers together. Title: [written on blackboard] February 2nd 1966 Pelton Infants “The Selfish King” Second Run Through The teacher seen earlier directs a small group of students in their roles. Small groups gather and raise their arms. One boy rattles a shaker type of instrument, while the others slowly sink to the floor and appear to fall asleep. Gradually some wake up and they in turn wake others. Title: [written on blackboard] Pelton Junior School Presents “The Professor’s Death Plant” Title: [written on blackboard} This film was taken during the third lesson. Pupils lie on desks and the floor. A boy walks round the sleeping individuals and places cards or letters on or next to them. They slowly wake and those who have received letters open and read them. The children all now awake gather together, tidy themselves then sit on the floor. One of the pupils wears a coat, glasses and a beard. He climbs onto a desk and speaks to some others. One person he speaks to appears to be angry says something to him and walks away. Everyone gets up and follows him. The children stand around some hold their heads, others wave their arms around they all seem to be in some distress. The ‘professor’ character beats a drum while standing on the desk. As if in a trance all the others walk towards him. They start crawling on the floor, some look frightened. One of the pupils hands out some food or antidote from a box he is carrying. Everyone slowly eats the substance. The professor walks amongst the subdued gathering, some of them are still unconscious. The film ends as everyone slowly gets up then suddenly fall to the floor.