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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

And precious about reception nativity?

47 replies

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 09/12/2014 11:30

We just got back from ds's nativity and honestly, I'm so disappointed. I want to know if I'm being unreasonable (quite possible).

So they've taken the Xmas story and tweaked it a bit, so far so normal. But they've created one main character who is on the stage the entire time, and added in lots of extras who have no role at all. By which I mean, at least half of the class just stood by the stage, invisible to anyone but the front row and joined in the group songs. Didn't go on the stage at all.

I literally have not one photo of ds.

Ok, I realise in the grand scheme of things it's not a disaster, but they're 4 and 5 fgs, I really thought they'd all get a chance to stand on the stage, even if they don't want to speak.

Is this normal for nativity plays?

OP posts:
Ilovehamabeads · 09/12/2014 11:33

Not in my experience. All reception children get to stand on stage in our school in groups of maybe 3 or 4 stars or angels etc. admittedly they don't usually have to speak, but they always get to sing a song or do a dance so you all get your proud parent moment.
Sorry your experience was crap.

mrsfarquhar · 09/12/2014 11:35

Ours manages to get everyone on the stage with a plethora of different costumes and roles to suit everyone from the most outgoing, to the most shy and any with particular needs are walked on with adults and any who get upset are carried off, no stress at all. This is what school plays are all about, helping to build confidence at an early age, hard to do if they don't get an opportunity so YANBU.

Original poster
ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 09/12/2014 11:35

That's what I thought. I knew they wouldn't all have lines, but I thought they'd all go up in groups and sing at least.

OP posts:
5ChildrenAndIt · 09/12/2014 11:36

Yuh - the protocol is to split them into groups of 3-4 for each 'role' (so that if one dries up it's OK) - eg angels, wise men, animals. Half a dozen 'main' roles - but they are main in the sense of stage time/being individual - not necessarily many lines. Everyone on stage for a final song.

Original poster
ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 09/12/2014 11:38

And would I look completely bonkers to complain? I don't want to be THAT parent.

OP posts:
Tryharder · 09/12/2014 11:39

YANBU. I've just come back from DD and DS2's nativity which is a huge Foundation classes production with at least 4 classes. Everyone was on stage at some point.

Purplepoodle · 09/12/2014 11:39

Join pta and perhaps suggest a change for next year?

Icimoi · 09/12/2014 11:40

One of the things I love about infant nativity plays is the sheer ingenuity with which teachers usually manage to find a way to put 60 children on stage. Hordes of shepherds, angels and animals, wise men's attendants, innkeeper's children - I just love it. It does seem a bit of a shame if the teachers can't manage that much.

mrsfarquhar · 09/12/2014 11:40

hmmm probably a bit bonkers to complain as such but a nicely worded email to head saying it was lovely but..... would be useful for the future. i suppose if no-one comments they won't change.

WipsGlitter · 09/12/2014 11:41

First year DS was a dancer, blink and you'd miss him and then you couldn't see him on the stage as he was so tiny (and we didn't know to get there at the crack of sparrow's fart to get a seat near the front), following year he was a shepherd and said I line!! Had better seats this time.

I've blogged about my experience of the nativity here if you're interested!

tumbletumble · 09/12/2014 11:44

I wouldn't use the word 'complain' but you could just mention it to the teacher or head after a comment about how lovely the play was, but perhaps as an idea for next year....

Original poster
ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 09/12/2014 11:44

And is it normal to have one main character? She was first on, last off and most of the songs were about her. She did really well, but I can't help feeling it's a bit unfair when they're all so young. Feels very unbalanced!

OP posts:
Pelicangiraffe · 09/12/2014 11:45

It's normal for all children to have a moment on stage on a class play. I'd rack the performance you describe as a teachers lazy option. I'm sure it was nice but just rather exclusive and easy.

Original poster
ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 09/12/2014 11:45

Yes, when I said complain, I did mean in a very low key way. Think I might send a friendly email.

OP posts:
tumbletumble · 09/12/2014 11:45

Yes, that's fairly normal in my experience. I've seen several plays which are held together by one main character.

Pelicangiraffe · 09/12/2014 11:46

And yes while there has to be a couple of leading characters, there should be minor roles, dances etc

Pelicangiraffe · 09/12/2014 11:48

I wouldn't email. I'd just observe what happens in the first couple of years. Some teachers tend to use the same children over and over again for each play while others are fairer and rotate main roles.

Enb76 · 09/12/2014 11:50

Hmmm, you could well be talking about the nativity I saw this morning. Was it to do with hay?

Original poster
ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 09/12/2014 11:52

No, no hay I don't think!

OP posts:
Heels99 · 09/12/2014 11:53

yanbu, as per other posters ours have groups of angels, shepherds, donkeys, 'villagers' etc so everyone gets on stage and performs a song with their group.
this year, it isn't a nativity but a xmas play and every child has 2 lines. no-one any more, no-one any less.
purple poodle how would joining the PTA help? the PTA have nothing whatsoever to do with the nativity play!

TimelyNameChangey · 09/12/2014 11:54

Sounds bad. In most schools they manage to get the DC on in small groups as villagers or animals or stars or something....even a little song and dance.

Is it a big school? Have their been recent staff changes? If the staff who usually do it aren't there then there could be issues.

TimelyNameChangey · 09/12/2014 11:54

Enb Prickly Hay?

Pelicangiraffe · 09/12/2014 11:54

There's no limit to the number of sheep, cows and shepherds in a play!

Towanda · 09/12/2014 12:02

Reception at dcs school doesn't do a nativity, KS1 do it instead with Y1 as the choir and Y2 in 'roles' without lines trooping onto the stage at the right times and 5-6 of the more articulate children as readers.

Enb76 · 09/12/2014 12:03

Timely - Yes.

That said, I had no cause for complaint (Sam) but I would have had I been some of the other parents although I do think every single child got a line.

Then I remembered my nativity (I was a no-line child). It didn't really matter to me what I was, what mattered was that my parents came to watch.