Horrible Histories: The Mad Millennium facts for kids
The Mad Millennium is a super fun Horrible Histories musical play. It was written by Terry Deary and first performed in 1999. Imagine a history lesson where seven kids are stuck with a new teacher. Their only way out is to race through a thousand years of history! This play is also special because it's the only Horrible Histories play ever turned into a published book, called The Mad Millennium: A Play by Terry Deary.
Contents
What is The Mad Millennium Play?
This play takes you on a wild ride through 1000 years of British history. It's not just a play; it's a musical, so get ready for some catchy songs! It's also interactive, meaning the audience might get to join in the fun.
A Musical Journey Through Time
The story starts with seven kids who aren't getting along very well. Their drama teacher, Miss Game, wants to make history exciting. So, she gets them to act out famous moments from the past. But there's a tricky history teacher, Master Minde, who is planning a really hard test!
Meet the Characters
As the kids act out history, they often play characters who share their own first names. It's like they're meeting their historical twins! For example, a kid named William might play William the Conqueror. As they travel through time, the kids learn a lot about history. They also learn to get along better with each other. They become more understanding and tolerant.
History Comes Alive!
The play shows how history isn't just about boring dates and facts. It's about people and their stories. The kids reenact scenes from different time periods. This helps them understand what life was like long ago. It also helps them see how people's relationships change over time.
Why is The Mad Millennium Special?
The Mad Millennium stands out for a few cool reasons. It's not just about learning facts; it's about understanding history in a new way.
More Than Just Facts
At the end of the play, the kids turn the tables on Master Minde. They give him a history test! But it's not about remembering dates. Instead, it's about "interpretations of history." This means it's about understanding different ideas and viewpoints from the past. Master Minde fails this test and even gets knocked out! When his mask comes off, everyone finds out he was Miss Game in disguise all along! This shows that history can be seen in many different ways.
The Only Book!
As we mentioned, The Mad Millennium is unique. It's the only Horrible Histories play that was published as a book. This means you can read the script and imagine the play even if you can't see it live!