The Journey
Suitable for years 5 and 6
In a dynamic combination of exciting songs, dance and lively drama, The Journey explores the issues of truancy and petty crime by tracing the progress of a teenager struggling with the pressures and pitfalls of life.
The musical is suitable for primary and secondary age children. It provides an effective environment for teaching children through active involvement in song, dance and drama and encourages them to discuss a wide range of important moral issues.
Jamie Jenkins is a young man with no respect for anyone but himself. His parents have split up. His dad and his sister Jessica get on his nerves. He is fed up with school and is rarely there. Jessica is fed up with making excuses for him. What does the future hold? Life seems so confusing – what choices should he make?
The first song, Choices, examines decision-making and the importance of making good choices.
Jessica is a serious girl. She tries hard, she acts sensibly, she thinks of others – but no one seems to notice. Jessica is annoyed with Jamie for missing school because she gets the blame. Jamie doesn’t care – his sister irritates him, and he is much more interested in spending time with his girlfriend Sarah. The tension between Jamie and Jessica erupts in angry confrontation – they can’t wait to get rid of each other.
The second song, Freedom, expresses the anger and conflict that often exist in family relationships.
Sarah is a kind, sincere girl who loves Jamie. Although he tries hard to impress her, she is aware of his problems and anxieties. Jamie opens up to Sarah about his feelings – the hurt over the break-up of his parent’s marriage, the pressure to live up his dad’s expectations, the difficult relationship with his sister. He explains that he has decided to leave home for good. Sarah is worried but he assures her that he loves her – everything will be all right……
The third song, Your Unfailing Love, is a tender expression of trust, openness and vulnerability.
When Jamie and Sarah bump into Maddog and his gang, Jamie is forced to admit that they are his mates. Sarah makes it clear that she is not impressed, but Jamie realises he must try to retain his tough image in front of the gang. He tells her to get lost, and she leaves – confused, upset and angry. The gang surrounds Jamie and challenges him to join them. Jamie finally succumbs to peer pressure and to the influence of his rebellious state of mind.
The fourth song, Live Today, communicates feelings of rebellion and highlights the pressure to conform.
Spurred on by the gang, Jamie prepares for a ‘boxing match’ that symbolises the aggression between himself and his sister Jessica. After a battle of spiteful one-liners, Jamie finally ‘knocks out’ his opponent. Suddenly, Sarah who challenges him to decide between her and the gang confronts him. After a struggle, once again gives in to the pressure of the gang and finally turns his back on a friendship that had meant so much to him. Sarah is left in tears.
The fifth song, There’s Been a Mistake, expresses Sarah’s hurt, loss and sense of being let down.
Jamie gets increasingly tangled up in a shady lifestyle. Eventually he is arrested as a suspected accomplice to a crime. Detained in a police station cell, Jamie realises what a mess he has made of his life. In his imagination, he sees himself I a courtroom where he is charged with his mistakes. He longs to go home to put things right.
In the sixth song, Coming Home, Jamie faces the implications of saying sorry to his dad for his actions.
A party is organised for Jamie to welcome him home in style. Jessica, however, is annoyed. She feels that it is unfair to treat Jamie so well after all the trouble he has caused. Why hasn’t she had special treatment? Her dad explains that he cares about them both equally and that it is right for them to celebrate the safe return of his son and her brother.
The seventh song, We’ll Find the Way, explores the issue of sibling rivalry and lack of affirmation.
Jamie returns home uncertain of how he will be received.
Against his expectations, his father is overjoyed to see him come home. The final song, The Journey, is a beautiful expression of forgiveness and reconciliation.
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