I AM sure many of you have already been or will be attending Christmas performances at schools, community centres and churches this month. I am also certain that some schools and youth organisations will eschew the traditional Nativity story and/or carol service and instead opt for an eclectic mix of talent-style shows or panto stories designed to show off the singing, dancing and acting talents of the little ones.
This, like many other things, is reflective of the increasingly secular nature of our society and the onus on schools and youth clubs not to offend those with alternative beliefs and traditions, or indeed, those without any.
Whilst I do understand the need for inclusivity I find it disheartening at times – like I do when someone wishes me a ‘Happy Holiday...’
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Perhaps it’s the nostalgic recollection of me and my primary school classmates traipsing across the stage - paper angel wings festooned in glitter hanging off small shoulders, tinsel halos worn at a jaunty angle and a colourful array of tea towels and dressing gowns on display.
Homemade costumes are no longer de rigueur these days as relatively cheap alternatives can be purchased online or from most supermarkets. I must admit I did have a shop-bought star costume one year but as cute and convenient as these outfits are, they lack the charm and appeal of a heavily-glued and creatively decorated crown or a donkey tail made of stuffed tights.
For many years, well into my late teens, I helped out with our local Sunday School classes. The annual Nativity play was, of course, a key fixture on the Church calendar. There were a rotation of ‘approved’ plays performed each year telling the Christmas story, interspersed at various points throughout with appropriate verses from popular carols.
After several of these relatively lacklustre performances, I thought maybe it was time to investigate whether we could tell the story in a different, more interesting style without, of course, losing any of the narrative while also remaining mindful of the congregation’s expectations.
In the end I wrote six original scripts based on a variety of scenarios but always with the Nativity story central to the plot (and all sanctioned in advance). It was lovely to see the children so energised and engaged – it didn’t matter if they didn’t know their lines - prompts were stuck to props or around the ‘set’ – the performance was played out amongst the choir stalls with the children trying to avoid both candles and Christmas tree. It was joyous and fun and, well, a bit different…
My favourite by far was a representation of The Graham Norton Show – imaginatively entitled The Gideon Norton Show. My younger sister presented a hilarious parody of GN interviewing a line-up of special guests from the three wise men to the shepherds (one of whom was shamelessly plugging his book ‘Life on a Lonely Hillside’). The unembellished story of the Nativity played out in between and happily it – and the other scripts – were a great success. It was the positive reaction of the congregation and the amazing feedback received from all including the children and their parents which inspired me to keep writing them.
I was lucky enough to meet Graham Norton in January of this year while attending the launch of Ireland’s ‘Last One Laughing’ series in Dublin. I’m embarrassed to admit that I mentioned the Gideon Norton Christmas production to him – he said, ‘Oh wow’, looked slightly bemused and then moved away (fairly swiftly)…
So I admit I have a real fondness for Nativity plays and believe it’s important that the message of the story (whatever form it’s told in) continues to permeate through the incessant chaos of cards, decorations, presents, food and general consumerism which continue to obscure the real joy and magic of the season.
