I have just dutifully spent three or four hours driving to and from, and watching, a Nativity play in which my youngest descendant, aged 3, played Mary. I am happy to report that she knew her lines and opened the piece with a solo rendering of Twinkle, twinkle little star that was almost audible. She is a confident child without being unduly prima-donnaish and has considerable grace for one still constructed on the general lines of a small Sherman tank.
But three-year-olds haven't got the idea of projection yet. They know that when they themselves are not in a towering rage demanding instant satisfaction of their wishes, other voices are generally louder, more fluent and more authoritative than theirs. They just don't realise that on these special occasions they are going to get a careful hearing. All the leading characters in the play, when prompted, delivered their lines fluently but in a confiding murmur into the ear of the prompter, a teacher of course. With other babies making a clamour in the audience, no one could hear them. As usual, I seem to recall from many similar occasions.
I'm not sure Santa Claus, mentioned in at least one song, ought to get a role in a Nativity play though. Perhaps he was included for the benefit of the parents. And of course Christianity is being globalized and homogenized along with everything else. Capitalism requires it.
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I don't know if it's an urban myth but a Japanese department store is supposed to have featured a crucified Santa Claus in one of its window displays.
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Variation on the theme - in USA
LEESBURG, VA (WJLA/CNN) – A bizarre holiday display of a skeleton dressed as Santa Claus and hanging on a cross outside a Virginia courthouse has caused controversy.
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That'll learn 'im to bring da rong stuff.
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>> featured a crucified Santa Claus in one of its window displays.
An advertisement for an ironic post-modern text on comparative religion perhaps? Could be misinterpreted by those of nursery school age though. Best to keep it until they are at least 6...
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Very AC that remark. :-)
There is a site on Facebook dedicated to dissing Christianity (one of my leftie friends posts some cartoons from there which are quite funny) they must feel very threatened by it if they have to resort to that. As for crucifying Santa - fair enough.
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"She is a confident child without being unduly prima-donnaish and has considerable grace for one still constructed on the general lines of a small Sherman tank."
Good Lord! And how do you describe someone you really dislike?
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Oh! RP. I so wanted to give you 2 thumbs for that. Beat me to it>>>>>>>>>>>>
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>> how do you describe someone you really dislike?
In a variety of ways, some of which have appeared on this site. I am surprised FP that you consider that Sherman tank reference disparaging.
She is only 3 after all. And completely adorable of course. But nippers of that age are often still a bit chunky, even when their wicked little brown eyes, naturally blonde-streaked hair, ingeniously argumentative and highly articulate discourse and fabulous eyelashes promise - indeed constitute - beauty and character on the same high level as those of her mother and half-sisters...
Does that sound ancestral enough? It sounds boastful and soppy to me although it's accurate.
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Aaaaaah? Dont give me that Aaaaaah carp, you dont do Aaaaaaaaaah,
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>> you dont do Aaaaaaaaaah,
We all do in our fashion Zeddo.
When I was very small, I remember my paternal grandfather, a ferocious tease with small children, often used to chuckle when he saw me. It worried me a bit because I couldn't work out why I was apparently so funny.
Now I find myself chuckling in a similar way whenever I see the nipper in question. I can't help doing it, but I hope it doesn't worry her in the same way that it used to worry me.
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I knew it was time to quit when I started doing that at the punters.
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Know what you mean RP. I was in a meeting today with a client who is very important to us but I could physically feel my eyes glazing over. Must buy one of those lottery ticket thingies.
:-)
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>> Know what you mean RP. I was in a meeting today with a client who
>> is very important to us but I could physically feel my eyes glazing over. Must
>> buy one of those lottery ticket thingies.
>>
>> :-)
Lemsip would be better, and a packet of klenex.
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My granddaughter (aged 5) this morning: "I can't get out of bed 'cos I have a wobbly tooth."
Later: " I can't get out of bed until Saturday as I have two wobbly teeth"
My grandson (aged 8) has now taken to drawing penises!
All together: Aaaaaah!
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>> I can't get out of bed until Saturday as I have two wobbly teeth"
3-month boot camp
>> My grandson (aged 8) has now taken to drawing penises!
Cold baths and cross-country runs every day. Hints that castration might follow if no improvement seen.
Honestly what is wrong with today's parents and grandparents? They haven't a clue.
(But many happy returns to the gap-toothed tot)
Last edited by: Armel Coussine on Mon 12 Dec 11 at 17:28
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>> when I started doing that at the punters.
Doing what, chuckling indulgently?
'Heh heh heh... don't worry Mr - er - yes, Towe-Wragge, heh heh, unusual name heh heh, don't worry about the rape and murder charges, it's the arson we have to worry about... well not worry exactly, oh dear me no, heh heh... I understand you've already given the address of the only witness to my investigator colleague Mr Thuggree, should be fine long before it comes to court, heh heh... Let's be serious though for a moment, now about our fees...'
Honestly Rob you can make a chap's blood run cold.
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Sounds a bit like the little girl in Outnumbered - fine comedy with Hugh Dennis et al.
Last edited by: Meldrew on Mon 12 Dec 11 at 17:51
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Apparently most children now prefer the more demanding and interesting roles, eg Herod, or the innkeeper.
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Indeed, something they can add their own interpretation to.
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>> Apparently most children now prefer the more demanding and interesting roles, eg Herod, or the innkeeper
>> Indeed, something they can add their own interpretation to.
Going to see my lad(4) in his first Christmas play later in the week. He's being a sheep.
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Mon 12 Dec 11 at 22:06
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I am sure he can bring something to the role.
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Open for lots of interpretation anyway since it's all make-believe.
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>> Going to see my lad(4) in his first Christmas play later in the week. He's
>> being a sheep.
Ahhh, memories of Bromptonette at that age as a 'bright shiny star'; seems like yesterday.
She drove me to the station this morning so she could finish an essay at home before going back to Uni.
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>> Going to see my lad(4) in his first Christmas play later in the week. He's
>> being a sheep.
>>
Mine (4 soon) did that yesterday...he was a sheep.
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>> Oh the little lamb.
>>
Calling his mother mutton wasn't a career move.
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I do love a good nativity. Our youngest in the interests of equality got to be a female shepherd and got to wear the time honoured tea towel look. Bless
instagr.am/p/X2EGI/
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I was a shepherd in one when nearly eight. It was an ambitious production at the Methodist mission's school in Trincomalee, where I went briefly for a month or so. The producer was a Sinhalese or Tamil - probably the latter but I don't know - Methodist teaching at the school. I had a line which I still remember: 'What is that light? It cannot be the moon.'
The teacher in her charming accent urged me to put a bit of expression into it, try to sound astonished and amazed and wondering what the light was. But I knew I couldn't say it like her. I was afraid of sounding silly and muttered it surlily instead.
My father teased me unkindly, giving a Dalek-like imitation of me delivering the line.
Show business is not all glamour and red carpets, the roar of the greasepaint and the smell of the audience. There's personal tragedy and suffering in it too, dahlings.
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Aaaah... - Chris S
