School Christmas Plays

[EmmaM]

School Christmas Plays

Yikes - don't know what went wrong there!

What I tried to say in my message that obviously went wrong was that its my son's first pre-school Christmas play next week (he's a sheep!). Is there any carol concert etiquette I should be aware of? Can I take photos? Can I wave? What if he throws a tantrum? Can I blub?

I am really looking forward to it, but I'm embarrassed that I'll probably cry. Have you been there, done that? Thanks

Yes, I've got 2 of these to go to this year, can't wait as they are very good for a laugh..........oh yes, and very touching too. Will let you know how they go!

Emmam - I wrote my last message before I saw your second message (I thought you were just being a bit mysterious!) Anyway, in my experience, pre-school plays are a bit of an old free-for-all (especially concerning the kiddies acting, bless 'em) You can do anything within reason, but most of the pre-schools prefer you to stand at the back if taking photos (check they don't mind you using the flash) or using a camcorder. You probably will cry, but it's most likely to be with laughter! Enjoy it.

EmmaM, we are in same situation this year - first pre-school play, our dd is an angel (obviously not based on her behaviour this morning!!) so looking forward to seeing it next Wednesday, do let us know how you get on with your sons.

EmmaM, blubbing is fine if you feel like it - at ds's first nursery Xmas play I was too nervous on his behalf to do anything (he was 1, and couldn't understand why he wasn't allowed to wander over and say hello to us until it was all over). This year ds is 4 and has a starring role, and is soooo excited about it! Dd is 2 and has to bang a drum, which may or may not be a good idea. Having two costumes to make has been time-consuming though (1 toy soldier and 1 robot). They do look adorable in them though ....

Emmam, you cant help but get that lump in your throat!!!

Went to ours this morning, it was lovely. No cameras with flash (but SO many parents had video cameras) no clapping until the end as it sometimes throws the littlies and they lose the momentum.

Hope you enjoy it!

My son had his first speaking part this year: Elf No 6.
He had to say, "Hi Rudolph, I've brought you a copy of the Reindeer Times."
Unfortunately, he forgot the prop...
I won't hold my breath for the call from the theatrical agent!

Emmam, school christmas plays are a joy to see. Because I know my son is all too fond of distraction, I never wave or smile once the entertainment begins. But, when he first comes on stage, I catch his eye, so he knows where I am. Then I keep a straight face (teary eyed) and clap very VERY loudly in all the right places. I try to think of his poor teachers, each trying hard to keep 30 or so children on course. How do they do it?

Also, it's a good idea to make it very clear to your child in advance what happens after. Are you taking them home or not?

Once they see you at the school they can get very upset if you leave again - my son once howled his way through a post-christmas concert assembly when all the parents had left, despite knowing it was only morning and he had a school day ahead of him. (I know this because I hovered in the corridor and tried to comfort him before he went into class).

Hope you have a brilliant time!

our play is tomorrow afternoon - blubbing is well in order. They had a dres rehersal yesterday, and on asking how it went they replied 'Arabella fell off the stage'. Try and get there early so you can get a seat where they can see you - you'll see the relief when they recognise mum in the crowd. Loads of videos, and cameras. I'm praying they sing the proper version to Little donkey, as the favourite version is where he gets runs over by a rover on the M25. I suppose it beats while shepherd washed their socks y night, and we 3 kings of Orient are, one in a taxi and one in a car. Yep, think I've lost it. Enjoy yourself any-way, its one moment that makes up for all the winging and tantrums.

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Thank you - glad to hear blubbing is perfectly normal!

Looking forward to hearing everyone's stories of how the plays go!

My 8 month old boy is being baby Jesus in the Church nativity this year (I know he is a bit old - he will probably get up and crawl off - but it is nicer than a doll!) And my 11 year old is going to be Joseph (just to keep his baby brother happy he assures me as this is not too cool) Blubber - I will be positively howling.

DS had his first 'proper' school play today as an icicle, MIL went to see him, when the other icicles and snowflakes were looking towards the audience - guess where ds was looking, you've got it - in the opposite direction, he eventually realised and joined the others.

DD has her school play tomorrow.

Well, the nursery play was a scream. Ds did his toy soldier bit very nicely, then it was dd's turn. I held my breath, because she's only 2 and I wasn't sure if stage fright would take hold. She marched on with all the other 2-year-old robots and then, while all the others shuffled around rather nervously staring at the audience, she marched round in circles as rehearsed, full of gusto, red boots stomping, without a moment's nerves and thoroughly enjoying herself. Maybe I've a budding thespian on my hands!
She looked so funny that dh and I were nearly in tears!

Our ds stayed all of two seconds on the stage. He clocked us and was off like a shot! It was a bit of shambles, but very cute and although I welled up I didn't openly blub. The pre-school staff were very brave even attempting a nativity with 24 tots and I take my hat off to them!

Someone said further down here about waving - oh dear! My ds (4 yo) was an angel yesterday and was waving enough to attract passing helicopters! He waved to me, to my dh, to my mother, to his best friend's mother ... he discovered his halo wobbled around nicely if he bobbed his head up and down; he investigated some of the other angels' halos; he either fell off or got off the bench twice ... not sure he sang anything but he had a whale of a time! My dd (2 yo) made a bid for freedom and tried to get on the stage and I ended up watching most of the play from the doorway while chasing after her ... But his costume stayed on and in one piece so I was happy!

I cry at the children in the school I teach in!!!!! How's that for wet? And my own cherubs of course!

Reading the messages about the nursery plays reminds me - and, sad to say, I only remember this because I have it on video - my elder son, aged 3½, was a king in the playgroup nativity in the village church. He discovered, when he got bored, that if he waggled his head a bit, his crown would fall off. He did this a couple of times and a friend sitting behind him (a shepherd) handed it back to him - then he found that if he held the crown in front of his face and looked through it he got a new and exciting perspective on the world. All the while the vicar was droning on in the background about how Silent Night got written. I think nursery/playgroup nativities are probably the best of all!