The pupils at Shap Endowed C of E Primary School performed two separate plays for relatives and friends in the lead up to Christmas, and both had a nativity theme. All donations at both plays were for this years chosen charity, Barnardos.
In her welcome, head teacher Lois Whitaker said ‘This is where Christmas really begins’ Children from the Nursery, Reception, and Infants classes gave two performances of ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’ in the school hall, the timeless story of the first Christmas was retold as the little ones acted out he story as narrated by pupils from the Infants class. The costumes were delightful, and the songs were sung with gusto. This play performed by the youngest children in the school showed them all to be little stars.
The following week there were two performance of a second play by children from Years 2, 3 and 4 was entitled ‘Nearly a Nativity’ in St Michael’s church. The play was based on an original idea by Alex Paris, a teacher at the school, and this had been developed by the teachers. The props made by Pat Mann and Christine Beatham added to the atmosphere.
The story revolved around the wise men journeying to Bethlehem, and there was some debate whether the star or a ‘sat nav’ was the best guide to follow. Daniel Anderson was an amusing Melchior, as he dashed around on his ‘hobby horse’ camel, whilst Paul Wright as Balthazar used a scooter. At one point the three arrived at a sign post that showed Shap, blaming the ‘sat nav’ for misguiding them, they set off following the star and with angels to guide them too. Mary and Joseph are summoned to travel for the census by Roman soldiers, and make their journey to Bethlehem where they are directed to the stable by a kindly innkeeper.
The angels gave the glad tidings to the truly local shepherds played by Jack Coates, Liam Belward, Joshua Mossman, Gemma Stewart and Billy Healey; one greeting the angels with ‘Ey up, what’s ga’an on?’ with another counting his sheep ‘Yan, tyan, tethera’. They set off to see the baby, and at last the wise men reach the stable and the ‘sat nav’ announces ‘You have reached your destination’.
The children sang lively songs to the accompaniment of Donna Walker, who has been working in school to develop music skills. The Sat Nav Rock and Rollers dressed in black and silver jived in the aisles as they sang ‘We’re gonna rock around the stars tonight’. The performance ended with ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ sung to a swinging modern tune.
This was a lively and most enjoyable performance with a really modern twist that in no way detracted from the traditional story line; all credit is due to the children whose diction was clearly audible and who all clearly enjoyed taking part.
Cast: Melchior: Daniel Anderson, Caspar: Georgia Young, Balthazar: Paul Wright, Gabriel: Emily Slack, Raphael: Lauren Goodson, Uriel: Christine Whittaker, Mary: Shannon Hunter, Joseph: Tim Frazer, Mother Anne: Lucy Judson, Father: Adam Fishwick, Innkeepers: Ryan Barber, Charlotte Thomson, Courtney Twiddy, Jade Thompson and Jamie Lindsay, Shepherds: Jack Coates, Liam Belward, Joshua Mossman Gemma Stewart and Billy Healey, Roman Soldiers: Jordan Sowerby, Jake Edmondson and Sean Borrowdale, Angels: Emma Pattinson, Caitlin Hutchinson, Jemma Thompson and Adele Kirby, Reader: Katie Stubbs, Voice of Sat Nav: Sam Coates, Sat Nav Rock and Rollers/Choir: Victoria Briggs, Callum Sowerby, Michael Harrison, Chloe Greaves, Iona Smith, Molly Woof and Caitlin Poulson, Heavenly Choir: Year 3 Blencathra and Year 2 Kidsty Pike. Stage Managers: Callum Poulson and Nicholas Hodgson.
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