Year 6 Play - WWYD

[Dramatics]

The school play is Oliver. The casting is mostly decided by a music teacher who comes into school. The class teacher was going to be Fagan due to the age difference. The class teacher then said he thought it was a nice idea but it might be better if one of the Yr6's played the part. 6/7 auditioned for it but the music teacher is still saying the class teacher will be doing it. There isn't much time left as the class are going on a residential trip next week and the play will be the week after.

My child is one of those that auditioned, so I am aware that makes me biased. But I did feel when it was first announced that it was a bit off but didn't want to rock the boat. But now I feel that allowing them to audition but then sticking with the teacher playing the part is unfair and I should maybe speak to the school about it. (If it's at all relevant Oliver is being played by a girl so other parts aren't so rigidly cast). The performance will be to parents only, not to the whole school.

So WWYD? Say something or just let it go?

What exactly are you complaining about? That the teacher is Fagan or that you don't know who is Fagan?

You will look slightly bonkers for complaining about anything related to an end of term play.

Definitely let it go; this isn’t a major production but an end-of-term bit of fun.

What exactly are you complaining about? That the teacher is Fagan or that you don't know who is Fagan

That the teacher is playing one of the bigger parts and there were a few children who wanted to do it and auditioned after the teacher said it might be better if a Yr6 was cast.

I've never known a teacher to be cast but I accept bringing it up will make me look bonkers.

Let it go. Your child will be in Yr7 soon and you will have no idea what they are up to in school from then on.

I've got older DC so I'm aware of the difference in secondary.

Don't be daft. Of course let it go.

Hi,

I think you have a valid point - it’sextremly unprofessional to audition children and revoke the part. Very odd and I can definitely see where you’re coming from.

I imagine anything you may say at this point, may fall on deaf ears, so probably pointless raising the issue. That said, as a teacher (and mother), I’m disappointed at their approach.

Hopefully, regardless of this, the children enjoy their Oliver play.

Sam

Let It Go... . You are totally correct; it will make you look bonkers. Your child only had a 1 in 7 chance of getting the part anyway.

Very odd but yes we are on countdown to leaving so I would leave it . One of my ds’s friends argued a point about our play and teacher agreed and it was changed so while this was a much smaller level they need to fight there own battles

I think it's high twattery to cast adults in parts in children's plays. My egocentric head had the staring role in my secondary school plays and it was just plain weird. I hate acting so had no skin in the game but it was obvious that it was unfair to deny a child that loved acting a chance to have a good part in their own school play. That said, I would just let it go, because it's a year 6 play and the teacher obviously wants to do it despite their protestations (otherwise they would just tell the music teacher to pick a child to do it). Nothing will change and it will be spun to look like you are only bothered because your own child wasn't picked.

I've been reviewing the situation and I see the consensus is I'd be bonkers. I still think it's a shame there's half a dozen with one liners and the teacher himself has said it may be better if a Yr6 did it, but there's little point in saying anything.

sam thank you, I did think dangling the carrot was a bit rotten. Yes they're Yr6 so not babies, but it's their leaver's play and they're all really excited about it.

Starlight345 my DC said the class is mostly in favour of it being a Yr6, but the ones who want the teacher to do it are the loudest on it.

JamAtkins
I didn't put it in the OP but I do think the teacher could have ruled himself out completely from the start and hasn't really helped. At least it was the music teacher's suggestion - a Head casting themself really is next level.

It’s probably best to leave it given you’re nearly out of there but I think it’s ridiculous and stupid of the school to cast the teacher - what a waste of a part. Not at all necessary to the realism of the age difference, unless Nancy is going to be played by a local secondary schooler too. I suppose it’s ‘funny’ (Class teacher who is lovely to children in role of someone who is primarily a horrible exploiter of children) but I don’t think that ‘Oliver’ works well on that many levels and it’s still wasting a lot of stage time on a non pupil. Is it a whole school play or just a class assembly type thing? I suppose that would make a difference.

Reminds me of Mr G in Summer Heights High.

Thanks ScipioAfricanus

The teacher is pretty erratic tbh so it's crossed my mind he is enjoying toying with them a bit. He's also leaving at the end of term, and it appears he is not happy about it. That said, it does seem to have been driven by the music teacher for reasons that are unfathomable to me.

Traditionally, the Yr6 play is performed to the whole school (though it's fairly small) then a separate performance for parents. This year it is apparently only going to be performed to parents.

@ Mr G. I shall prepare myself to be wowed by the spectacular performance of the teacher and steel myself for the treats they may have in mind for sports day. Maybe he could take on the reception children!

Well, they probably auditioned them to see if any of them were up to it and they weren't ... so teacher kept the role. Welcome to the world!

Well, maybe if they'd been given same preparation time as the other auditions, they would have met the required standard.

The teacher was the first to be cast with no audition...but that's School Business as they say!

Fagin has been recast! 2 children are sharing the role.

Oh! Interesting! I wonder if any other parents did make a bit of a fuss.

Hope they all enjoy it!

I may as well confess. Despite the consensus of bonkers I decided to ask for quick chat with the Head. HT was unaware of the castings. I was at pains to say I could see the appeal, perhaps my child was misunderstanding a joke between the teacher and music teacher etc.

HT said if a child wanted the part (I had mentioned there were a few who auditioned), then it should go to a child and would look into it and ensure that was what would be happening. The Head is also leaving, so I felt there was nothing really to lose by outing myself as a bonkers parent.

Ah well, I don’t blame you to be honest! I think letting as many children as possible share the limelight is far better than a teacher hogging it, especially at that age and at their leavers’ event!

Glad you said something. I'm a teacher and think it's bizarre that any teacher would take on a role in a primary school production!
Productions are for the kids!

Thank you. They're a great class and really looking forward to doing the show next week.