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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am i being PFB?

29 replies

misdee · 16/10/2010 09:13

dd1 is in her last year of primary school. they have found out what xmas play they are doing, and she wanted the chance to try out to be the lead character. but was told she couldnt be as that is a boys part (play is Oliver btw). but they havegiven her the part of a boy anyway.

AIBU in being a bit miffed by that. and the fact they didnt get to try out.

dd1 is a little confused by being told she couldnt be the lead as its a boy. but gets a boy part anyway.

OP posts:
cece · 16/10/2010 09:15

I agree with you.

naghoul · 16/10/2010 09:17

No, you are not PFB, they are being hypocritical.

Original poster
misdee · 16/10/2010 09:18

btw, i am not going to go up the school demanding thyey audition alll the kids. just before anyone thinks i am.

have suggested to dd1 that when she starts secondry she joins the drama club and choir there.

OP posts:
Talker2010 · 16/10/2010 09:20

The lead cannot be adapted to a different gender part ... perhaps the part she has been given can

We always have more girls audition than boys

Would not dream of changing Oliver, Dodger, Bill, or Fagin to a girl but would consider adapting any of the others

Talker2010 · 16/10/2010 09:21

oh and what does PFB mean?

Original poster
misdee · 16/10/2010 09:25

precious first born.

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 16/10/2010 09:26

Give me one good reason why Oliver or Dodger or Fagin can't be a girl.

SpookyNoise · 16/10/2010 09:29

pfb

mistressploppy · 16/10/2010 09:29

We did Oliver at school when I was 10. Oliver was played by a girl. I was Fagin....(I am a girl too)

We put on a bloody good show Grin

castlesintheair · 16/10/2010 09:30

I think Oliver could easily be played by a girl and I don't think you are being pfb at all.

ScroobiousPip · 16/10/2010 09:30

Surely a young girl could easily play a boy's part?? At that age, with the right clothes on it is pretty hard to tell the difference and it's only a school play at the end of the day, hardly Broadway.

And ditto naghoul, the school is being hypocritical.

YANBU.

ScroobiousPip · 16/10/2010 09:31

Sorry, x-posts.

Original poster
misdee · 16/10/2010 09:31

btw, dd1 can actually sing. she is in the school choir and a very active member.

OP posts:
littlebylittle · 16/10/2010 09:41

School being a bit silly really. They could let all try out and if they felt strongly enough about it give lead to boy anyway. Oliver not great play because very male dominated - we always did plays written for primary where characters were animals or could be adapted for either. All very good and challenging

proudnscary · 16/10/2010 09:45

They are being hypocrites, you are being a wee bit precious. It's one play out of eighty zillion you will have to watch. You won't give a poo what she's doing or when in a couple of years!!

DoraBelvedon · 16/10/2010 09:45

bloody daft. complain.
DD was told she din't look 'adult' enough for a part in a school play, when she was 12 Hmm it put her off and she's never gone for a part since.

ForMashGetSmash · 16/10/2010 09:58

Talker's being silly...of COURSE girls can play male parts and vica versa...it was common practice at my Youth Theatre and that had an extremely high standard. You are not being weird over your PFB ...I would mention it personally.

FreudianSlippery · 16/10/2010 10:01

YANBU it's hypocritical. We did Oliver in year six and he was played by a girl.

After the singing audition my whole year said I should be Nancy, but I wasn't allowed because I wore glasses

Not that I'm bitter or anything...

rodformyownback · 16/10/2010 10:15

YANBU! I am so furious on your DD's behalf. Although it's probably unrealistic that your daughter would get to try out now, I really think that the school should consider why they are denying opportunities to girls in this way.

Perhaps you could write to the headteacher (who might not be aware of the situation), explain how your daughter felt, why it was hypocritical etc. I would ask to see a copy of their equal opps policy and an explanation of how excluding your daughter from trying out for the lead role fits in with that. Although unlikely to get your daughter an audition, at least you will be showing her that she doesn't have to put up with discrimination and might change things for girls at the school in future.

onceamai · 16/10/2010 13:04

In my exp. these Yr 6 plays are regarded as sacred cows by some senior staff. I believe various parts in Oliver actually require quite accomplished voices. Oliver may have been chosen because there is a boy(s) in the class who really do have good voices and who are capable of pulling off quite a difficult musical stage piece. I know at our old primary the choice of Yr 6 play was taken quite seriously by the music teacher who took into account what the cohort was capable of musically. The two girls who played Nancy and her partner of the stage were particularly memorable. Sadly there are never enough star parts for everyone in these things. Think it's a bit of a life lesson but you may find that those who don't get the starring roles get awarded in different ways by the end of the year.

fastedwina · 16/10/2010 13:17

I can see you point but does that mean the boys should be trying out for Nancy and Mrs Bumble?

lifeinagoldfishbowl · 16/10/2010 13:31

When I was at a girls only school we put on Oliver - so all the characters were played b girls - there didn't seem to be any issues.

StewieGriffinsMom · 16/10/2010 13:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

3thumbedwitch · 16/10/2010 13:38

school = hypocritical and daft.

:( for your DD but you are not being pfb - if you were wanting to charge up there and demand she were auditioned, that would = PFBness.

Fastedwina - why not? Doubt any of the boys would want to dress as girls at that age but they might and they should be allowed the opportunity if they want it!

SpringHeeledJack · 16/10/2010 13:44

you have to let girls play boys' parts in Oliver ffs- the whole thing is full of boys and men! Otherwise it's Not Fair.

[gavel]