It’s Behind You!

Over 35 years behind me, now that I think about it.

Christmas plays were a really big thing at my little village primary school. We went all out to put on a great show and it was such an exciting time, my absolute favourite part of the school calendar. I remember this particular year, because Mrs C’s class were putting on the main pantomime of Cinderella and I had recently moved up into Miss E’s class, so I was going to miss out. My little brother is there, in the front row, playing a white mouse. He’s the one on the left.

My class told the tale of St. George and the Dragon and I got the part of St.George. Before I could slay the dragon (I had a bit of a crush on him) I had to first fight the Turkish Knight and banish her him from the kingdom. I had the line, “Be gone thou little heathen knight.” That brought a few laughs, due to my diminutive size.

A team of mums came in to make the costumes and they did a brilliant job every year. I had chainmail painted on the sleeves of my skinny rib jumper with gold paint. I don’t think my Mum knew that would be happening and she was not best pleased when I took it back home!

Mrs H, the school secretary was our wardrobe mistress. We each had to take in a coat hanger with our name on and a bag for any accessories. The costumes were all hung on a rail in Miss E’s classroom and it was a hive of activity on performance night.

During the year there was a partition wall that divided Mr and Mrs C’s classrooms from each other. At the beginning of December that was taken down and the stage was erected at one end of the now seemingly enormous room. I couldn’t concentrate on my lessons, I was too busy running through my lines and imagining myself up on that stage.

The afternoon before the main event we always had a dress rehearsal, to which we invited the older folks of the village. In the morning Mr E, the photographer, would come into school and we’d all have our pictures taken. Something which I’m most grateful for today as I write this. I feel very lucky to have these photographs of such happy times.

I’m a little late, I know, but this memory is brought to you courtesy of Sian’s Storytelling Sunday. I’m looking forward to reading all the other stories later on this week. I’ve really enjoyed taking part, although I didn’t begin until quite late in the year. Thankyou Sian.