Fatuous and undignified nativity plays

[hiddenhome]

ds2 goes to a catholic primary school and his nativity play is coming up.

He's told me all about it and it doesn't sound like much of a nativity play - it includes X Factor style things and a Gangham Style song.

I'd like them to do a traditional one, but this doesn't seem to be the way these days. I like to see kids happy 'n' all, but would like a bit more dignity in the plays at this time of year.

It just seems that everything is lowered to X Factor levels these days. I must be getting old

Ours sounds much more your style...although 90% of the cast are Muslim, Hindu or Sikh :)

We have shepherds, angels, wise men, the whole shebang.

Ours is traditional too. And it's not even a church school.

I know of non denominational schools doing X-Factor type productions, and feel smug that my DC do a nativity in KS1 and Carol type songs in KS2 at their Catholic school. Of course, parents of those children would not share my opinion!

See how it goes though. I was rolling my eyes when DS was practicing "We are the world".
The performance included turning off all the lights in the church, the waving of glowsticks and solos by some very talented children. It was magical.

I feel quite sad about it tbh. Even ds2 isn't impressed as he takes his religion quite seriously. I wish we could object but I think it would just appear petty

After last years debacle at our catholic primary school (xfactor style) I had a word with our head and said something along the lines of " I like the kids having a good time but if the xfactor or being a sleb is touted as something to aspire to during the nativity then how do they ever get the guidance on what is important in life?"
Will be watching with interest to see if they've become a bit more sensible this year!

Do you think it's worth complaining about it then? I'd like to pull him out tbh. He doesn't want to do it either.

Sounds vile. I'd ask what the Christian message was.

Stuff it, I'm going to write a letter of complaint and just pull him out.

If I was you hidden I'd be going in in Monday and asking for clarification. Probably best not to start with any "tone" but then make your feelings clear if it is indeed as you fear!

Okay

What could I say that doesn't make me sound like a sanctimonious religious fanatic?

After many years of straight and frankly boring nativity plays, I'd have welcomed something a bit funnier / livelier. They do have 3 years of doing it (each), so there's room for both types.

If your DC's school is state-funded then it needs to be inclusive of all the DC attending, who may not be followers of the main brand of mythology the school peddles. Doing a non-serious 'Christmas' play that they can all relate to is reasonable.

If it's a private school that you're paying for then I guess your wishes count rather more.

Mind you, I remain a bit boggled by the parent I chatted to three years ago, after having sat through DS' Year One production of 'Whoopsadaisy Angel'. THis parent was whining about how schools 'don't do nativity plays'. I did ask her (politely) what she thought she'd just seen...