To be annoyed child got no part in school play

[Honeybeebuzz]

Child is in Year 1, they do their play with the reception class too. Last year he didn't get a part but we were told it's because most parts go to the Year 1s. Just found out he's not got a part again, just chorus. Its a small school so most do and im not sure why he didn't. He's generally well behaved, confident and doing well academically so not like he couldn't manage a line or two. Just feel a bit sad for him as he's chatting away about the parts his friends got. There's nothing I can do really and im obviously not showing him im annoyed

You've reminded me of a school play many years ago, when little DS's anxious class teacher said to me privately, "We've given him the opening lines. This could go one of two ways -- he'll be great, or he'll make a bolt for it and the play will never start!"

My dd was offered Mary but turned it down because she wanted to wear a beard.

The problem is ALL mums want their children to get parts. Maybe the teacher asked in class and he didn't raise his hand? Don't read in too much in this. Let it go and why don't you and DS create a mini christmas play for DH and GP where he gets to be the star?💫😉

Haha, ditto!

She could have been the first Mary Beard

So which child's part do you think should be taken away from them and given to yours?

I was Mary one year. Had no lines and had to sit next to Joseph for the whole play, and we loathed each other! Had to wear a scratchy blue dress which belonged to one of the teachers. I wasn’t happy. Think I might have been the grumpiest Mary ever!

Please don’t ask the Teacher. I can’t tell you how stressful this time of year is, just go with it..plus take heart that you won’t be the Parent of the child who was great in rehearsals and then ruins the whole thing on the day, there’s no escape from the school hall once the curtain goes up 😂😂 Blimey, we’ve had some pearlers .. bless all of them 🥰

I was offered Mary, apparently, but turned it down because I thought I would be allowed to wear my aunt's sexy silver nightie as the angel who appears to the shepherds. (I wasn't, and apparently sulked visibly, snarled 'Come and see the Baby Jesus if you want' at the shepherds, and stomped offstage with a face like thunder.) That was my first and last speaking part in primary school.

I can’t believe people are suggesting that you say something to the teacher. How embarrassing. You’re being far too sensitive.

I'm my dd and ds school the ones who are more confident get the bigger parts. My dd has been given the part of being the tinsel (?) All she has to do is dance around a large cardboard tree whilst wearing tinsel and shes super excited. Ds has the part of backstage help he does not want to be no where near the stage (he would like me to sit backstage and watch him be the helper) . I understand your disappointment maybe ask the teacher if theres a line or two he could say?

It really is not a big deal unless you make it one.
He's taking part. As long as you go to see it that's what counts

I was a reception teacher for many years. We used to start by asking the children who would like a speaking part and then I used to pick the less confident children as I wanted to boost there self confidence 😊.

@crumblingschools I was a non speaking Mary too (It was Carnival of the Animals). I think I got on ok with my husband Joseph but I know at playtime I was always running around with one of the shepherds.
I was mostly upset because my Baby Jesus wasn't one of the nice soft body dolls from the home corner but one of those hard plastic ugly ones.

YABU this would really bother me too because it sounds like he’s been rejected for a part. Everyone knows being in the chorus is nothing to brag about!

If you want to see your kid up on stage sign him up to a drama club. I don't think school plays are the right time to make insist your kid gets a speaking role.

@Needmorelego our baby Jesus wasn’t great either!

I played the back end of Donkey in our production of Shrek. It could have been anyone in there but I still got a mention on the programme.

If they did need more speakers they’d sort it out without your help. You will make yourself look silly if you offer your son for this. Tell them he’s upset by all means, but don’t treat them as if they’re stupid and you’re doing them a favour by telling them your child could do it.

Two of his best friends have parts one of whom I know has had some behavior issues this term and been excluded from playtime twice in the last few weeks!

This is completely irrelevant. Children aren’t excluded from their school plays just because they needed a little time away from the playground in year 1 or because they struggle with behaviour sometimes.

You sound far more bothered than he does. Let it go.

My DD was the inn keeper last year who had the most lines. She had a beard. 😂

Anyway it was clear why the children were chosen to do each role. Mary had less lines than my DD but sat there looking sweet and miming correctly. Gabriel was the narrator and was very confident. She had the most lines.

Of my 4 boys I think only one had a speaking part in the nativity. That would be mr confident no3 son he loved it, no 4 was a v cute shepherd and to this day I’ve no idea what no1 or 2 sons were prob sheep 🐑
it’s usually a lovely wee nativity don’t get too hung up on lines.

I liked how my sons' school handled all this.
It was a KS1 play so reception, Y1 and Y2. Only Y2 got speaking parts and everyone got one, maybe just one line or maybe a bigger role. Children who didn't want to speak helped with making sure R and Y1 were not sitting on each other or falling off the stage where they should be, and 'leading' the singing, or would be a line prompt or help with lights/backstage, or even selling programmes.

I'm still proud that my son stepped in and said Camel 2's lines as well as his own (Camel 1) when C2 was off ill. He's 15 now! 🐪

This made me laugh

If your child is keen to have a speaking part there is no harm in saying to the teacher that they are keen and if any of the children are struggling / don’t want a speaking part anymore they your DC would be happy to stand in. And leave it at that.