I know I am but BLOODY SCHOOL PLAYS!

[smartiejacktheripper]

Ok ok I know what you are all going to say especially the teachers amongst you.

My DD (aged 10 and not a PFB)) auditioned for a part in her school play (Dick Whittington). She practised the audition piece for ages and learned it off by heart. I know she's my DD but she was really good (I do actually know what I am talking about as I have been involved in the production of many school plays over the last 20 years.)

All her teachers told her she was really good. Some of the mum helpers have told me she was fantastic. The other children who auditioned did not learn the part but read it off the script.

Her teacher told me at a parent teacher meeting today(and I quote) "she was so good... one of the best."

DD found out today that she has been given the part of... her teacher. ( don't remember a teacher in the story of Dick Whittington.)

Here's the best bit

Why was she given that part? Because her glasses are very similar to her teacher's and she has been teased for being a "Mini Mrs Teacher" ever since she got them.(Actually they're really nice with black rims and wide red sides.) She feels she has been given over for a different part purely on the basis of appearance.

And of course all the best parts have gone to the usual teachers' pets.

Sorry have now slapped myself round the face hard and shouted "LISTEN TO YOURSELF WOMAN!"

I am a teacher. I know exactly what I would think if a parent came and ranted at me for something like this. I'm sure I would be the laughing stock of the staffroom.

I wouldn't dream of going in and complaining but just SOOOO

Thanks for listening!

Dont get me started on school plays.My ds is in year six and every year,year six class get the main parts in the play as its their last year at the school.
the school he is at prides themself at being very pc.
But every year its the same (old crap) all the children that want main parts audition.But surpise, surpise the children that get the main parts are the ones with the parents on the board of governors or parents that call the headmaster by his first name.
The sad thing is all the children in the class know thats the way it works .As my ds and his friend said its always the specail children.
God i feel better now

My family seem to suffer from ironic casting.

At age 4 I was Mary. The role called for me to sit silently for most of the time. Instead I stage whispered (loudly) every single speaking part as I knew the whole script by heart. A silent role, cast the chatterbox

DS1 & DS2 have both been cast as Joseph. Cue huge ribbing and jokes about the witch who had the Son of God as a grandson, twice!

Well my rags-to-riches tale should give hope. First time round I was a tree. Next time round, a courtier. The following year, I was the cat in Dick Whittington - starring role, loads of songs, massive part to learn. I'm a bit of a shrinking violet but I loved cats and so I chose to audition for that - it was great. I still admire the teachers who organised the plays at that school - they were very open-minded and cast all the shy kids, badly behaved kids and those with special needs, seeing that it would do them good.

The teacher role does sound annoying. But encourage your DD to throw her all into it and make a splash.

Mind you, it's really easy to get your kids parts in school plays. Just say to the teacher that everyone seems to think that parts are given on the basis of parents not kids, although OF COURSE you know that's not the case, and miraculously your child gets the part next time round. Which is, of course, sheer coincidence.

was ALWAYS the narrator....

in yr 6 when they were casting Mary, it was between me and another narrator type girl. They had picked a yr 5 boy for Joseph (cos of his shiny blond hair....) - and I slouched to prove that I was shorter than this other girl and only a little bit taller than shiny blond boy and.... I got the part!

Next year (and all through senior school...) - back to being the bl**dy narrator....

suburbandryad- yes she very much does want to be in the play. She loves to perform and is very much into her drama. She goes to a drama club and her teacher has said to me many times that she is a natural.

She is reliable (as can be ascertained by the fact that she actually bothered to learn the audition piece off by heart) and is not a prima donna in any way as has been assumed by other posters on this thread. Neither could I possibly be described as a "stageschool mum type". I would never dream of complaining and only posted on here to rant.

She did actually ask her teacher yesterday if the only reason she was chosen for the part was because of her glasses and she was told no (well she would say that)but because DD had a strong clear voice and they thought she would play the part of a bossy teacher well! We have yet to find out how much she will have to do as her part hasn't actually been written yet!

I think she is bitterly disappointed as she wanted a proper "dress up part" even if that only meant being a rat or a peasant with a line or two. Even the choir and the dancers will all have a proper costume, but she has to wear her glasses and a skirt with a jumper the play a part of her teacher.

agree 100% with victoriansqualor