Surviving Rural Life - by bumpkin

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Surviving Rural Life - September 2006

Another opening, another show

September 10th 2006 05:40

make that costume, mum

The local school play
I should have gone to the school play/musical in town. Not because I have any kids performing in “Get Smarter”. Nor because I teach any of the students at the District High School. I should be there because it’s the noble town- spirited thing to do.

I know what has been happening over the last few weeks. All extra curriculum subjects in Year Eight, Nine and Ten have been cancelled while the kids had their singing practice and costume fittings. Even upper primary kids have learnt the songs to help add volume to the chorus line. The hairdressers in town have been booked out to ensure the hair-dos fit the era. The Shire hall has been invaded by gum-chewing teenagers every evening after school for the last six weeks and keen parents have been driving into town at all sorts of odd hours to take their child to and from rehearsals and the six performances. However this is the cross they will bear to support the English teacher who has directed such plays every second year for almost the last twenty years.
But why do they put themselves through such tortures? Well, educationally, the kids learn to work as a team, they actually have to learn something off by heart – which in itself is becoming somewhat of a rarity, those with any talent seem to have it drawn out of them- even if at times it’s like drawing blood, and well, not many public schools have traditions, so, for as long as Mrs T. chooses to teach, this tradition will remain.

I used the word “talent” loosely. But then again I have seen a clown with a guitar who, since leaving school has become part of a band in the city, an actor with a loud booming voice who later directed a French Play at the University and a big Maori boy who used to scare half the kids to death showed his truer gentler side. As for the singers - some have rather dubious prospects - including boys who are becoming men and whose voices change pitch half way through the show. But then there have been others whose voices have provided great pleasure. And even the kid who wanted to remain firmly in the Chorus line can now get up and give a presentation for his University course without falling through the floor boards with embarrassment.
I didn’t go to the play this year. I have a sneaky suspicion that I just might be sat next to some kid’s parent that I taught twenty years ago. Still that’s not really an excuse. After all, one of my ex-students is my accountant now, so his math lessons weren’t all wasted after all! No, you’re right. I should have gone to the school play. But you see - there weren’t any tickets left. Oh well – perhaps I’ll just sit back and watch a video of my kids when they were in their school plays! And try and get there next time.

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September 2006

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15 Posts dating from September 2006

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