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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this normal for a School Nativity play?

140 replies

BoysBoysBoysAndMe · 25/11/2011 22:57

Had a letter home today from the School to say the Receptions' Nativity will be on X day, maximum of 2 tickets per child, £2 per ticket?

I have to pay to see my DS1 in his Nativity? [shocked]

Not only that, but no cameras, phone cameras or camcorders are allowed to be used. If we want a picture of him as a King they will take the photo and I have to pay £1 for it!

Now, before I'm flamed, I'm going to pay. It is only £5 for the lot and it's for School Funds, which I understand. But couldn't they have just asked for a contribution on the day?

Is it normal practice? AIBU? I know I sound like a skinflint - I'm not Grin

OP posts:
GirlTuesday · 25/11/2011 23:48

We try to get people who are bringing young children to come to the morning performance of our show rather than the evening one.

I really appreciate that it's difficult for parents with little ones - and have been there myself - but it is very frustrating when the show that you have worked so hard on is spoiled by noisy babies and toddlers.

WorraLiberty · 25/11/2011 23:48

See the thing is, sometimes if a parent takes the baby out because it's crying...their child in the play then starts crying because their parent has gone Sad

startail · 25/11/2011 23:52

Never paid for a play at the DDs school primary.
Do pay for concerts and plays at the high school, but they are used to pay for costumes and equipment.
Our school plays paid for our swimming pool, big hall 3 nights every mum, dad, grandparent, uncle or aunt was expected to come, some times twice. (oops that could be read the wrong wayBlush)

Spermysextowel · 25/11/2011 23:54

My boys' London school tried pulling the £1 per parent thing to cover the cost of 'lighting'. When it was apparent that ticket sales were lower than for a Gareth Gates concert the lights were suddenly 'free''

Original poster
BoysBoysBoysAndMe · 26/11/2011 00:07

LOL Gareth Gates!

No, I completely agree with the crying baby thing for other Parents. I couldn't leave though, DS1 would get upset. DH would have to take the baby out.

Very jealous of the Schools doing lots of performances, and using theatres, and free entry! These will be on my list of requirements when we move schools and home next year.

OP posts:
sozzledchops · 26/11/2011 00:09

free and we can film.

eaglewings · 26/11/2011 00:13

Wish we had a no film policy
No cost, just donation at the end for local charity

Spermysextowel · 26/11/2011 00:37

BoysBoys where are you moving from/to? Be very careful that you know what you're letting yourself in for. I moved to get a better secondary education for my DSs but the bucolic dream isn't everything you think it will be.

Just a small warning...

exaspomum · 26/11/2011 07:08

Most schools charge for concerts, plays etc. I think it's outrageous. My DC's primary school used to charge £2 for the Christmas party to cover the costs of the refreshments. Once a teacher accidentally let slip to me that this covered the costs leaving spare which was used for craft materials. Once, they framed artwork the children had done and charged for that.

TroublesomeEx · 26/11/2011 07:57

DDs nativity in a couple of weeks time.

No photography, filming etc but we can purchase a DVD for £7.

Sparklingbrook · 26/11/2011 08:02

Most of the DVDs we had were awful. They got all the coughing and screaming babies and you could hardly hear the play at all. Sad

nikon1968 · 26/11/2011 08:02

Free and we are allowed to take photos or film it.

exoticfruits · 26/11/2011 08:08

Usually they just have donations and give it to charity.
I think that the no filming or cameras is excellent. The flashes are annoying and too many people are just trying to get the photo of their DC rather than watching the play as a whole. You can't get a good photo anyway-too many heads. Much better to buy one-taken without the crowds.
2 people per DC is very normal-lack of room.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 26/11/2011 08:08

£3 a ticket. Babies free on laps apparently. No idea about filming but I did have to pay and source DDs costume.
She is a wife and a singing ghost Grin

MindtheGappp · 26/11/2011 08:09

When I have been to nativities/carol concerts with an entrance charge, there has always been a freebie, such as a glass of mulled wine (if evening) and a mince pie. At my school, there is no charge to come in, but you are expected to stay for refreshments and spend a few pounds on Christmassy stuff. Sometimes there's a raffle...

The only time we have had paid-for photos was when our Young Enterprise group were doing that as a their business (but they would frame it, put it on a mug, etc - so added value).

Amateur-quality DVDs are priced to cover the cost of the disc. When we have a professional company in to film a major show, they usually work out around £15 each basic cost (no profit to the school).

cjbartlett · 26/11/2011 08:16

Ours is free too, tickets are limited otherwise some waltons family will take over the first two rows

It's 10.30am, maybe evening carol concerts are different

pigletmania · 26/11/2011 08:21

YANBU at all! Back in the day, this would never happen! At my dd school they are not charging, and allowing photos from parents.

Sparklingbrook · 26/11/2011 08:22

Talking of the front few rows. I never got to sit in them ever in 8 years of first school plays. The same clique had them every bloody year and I don't know how they did it. Angry

exoticfruits · 26/11/2011 08:38

I never once got the front row in far more than 8 yrs. Even if you get there very early they have reserved signs on them!

Nanny0gg · 26/11/2011 08:42

There are many reasons for No Photos.
Obvious one is the disturbance of people leaping up and down to get the best shot of their darling, and all the flashes going off.
Other one is Child Protection. You can guarantee some twonk will put the cast photos on Facebook and you never know if a child is under a protection order from an abusive parent or suchlike and they'll get spotted.
Schools will make sure not to photograph vulnerable children.

Proudnscary · 26/11/2011 08:56

Never heard of paying to see Nativity Play.

DownbytheRiverside · 26/11/2011 09:01

'Never heard of paying to see Nativity Play.'

How many schools do you have experience of? All 9 primaries in my area charge a couple of pounds per seat and ban photos.

cwtch4967 · 26/11/2011 09:19

DD s school has a small charge for tickets, dress rehearsal is grandparents only. Three other shows, one morning, one afternoon and one evening - that way everyone gets a chance to go. Head is very sensible and allows photographs and video cameras. Toddlers and babies must be taken out if causing a disturbance which is only fair to the children taking part.

DS attends a special school, £1.00 per ticket but you do have refreshments. Not sure about cameras as it's his first term.

Cadsuane · 26/11/2011 09:48

Sounds like our primary school although they haven't thought of the photos.

They have three shows over three afternoons, the first is for local oaps and is free for them with light refreshments. Only two tickets a family although any spare tickets are avaliable on the day before each show.
The money raise has bought more stage (box things which connect together), coustumes for the main characters and material to make them for the extras, better sound system and last year new musical insruments (as they now have a classroom teacher who is also a qualified music teacher). It has been so nice to see how the money has been invested over the seven years I have had children at the school.
What a difference this head teacher (appointed as my dd1 started P2) has made (in every aspect of the school)!

talkingnonsense · 26/11/2011 10:03

The photo/ video thing has become a lot stricter lately because of Facebook. If you have a child who can't be photoed it is practically impossible to make sure they aren't in anyone else's background shots. A shame cos they are so cute, but better than the potential consequences.
Schools I've worked in split about 50/50 with regard to charging for tickets, but everyone tickets so the hall doesn't go over numbers ( fire safety). Under fives usually invited to dress rehearsal only, though some PTAs organise a crèche.