Jack and the Beanstalk

Each year the PTA pay for the whole school to go to the pantomime at Christmas.  Ben has already been twice and this year was Jasmine's - and my - first time.  As there were some spaces for adult helpers left, I went along and was in charge of a group of 4 children, including Ben, from Class 2.  One of Ben's teachers, who'd also been his teacher in the first year, told me that Ben had been really nervous about going that first time and that she had to sit and hold his hand.  There were a few children this year, Ben included, who said they were nervous about it, one of them even burst into tears during registration!  It never occurred to me that they would have any anxieties, especially as most in class 2 had already been twice with the school already. 

Despite this though, they all thoroughly enjoyed themselves - Jasmine wasn't scared in the slightest, even though the giant was a huge 12 foot animatronic costume that spoke like something out of the exorcist!  The costumes were fantastic, and the way that the children were encouraged to participate was genius.  Willy (Jack's brother) had the entire theater of children screaming 'WILLY!!!!' whenever someone touched his musical horn that he had left to one side for safe keeping.  Jack, Jill (Jack's love interest), Willy and the Dame (the mother) had all the kids standing, waving to one side, then the other, pointing at the Giant and screaming "YOU DON'T FRIGHTEN ME!!!" and then contorting matrix style to help them defeat the giant.  It was fantastic!  Sweets and flowers were thrown into the audience, the kids were taught a song to join in and sing, and teachers were brought in on the act (much to their own surprise and the kids delight).  The Oxford Playhouse put on an great show and we are already looking forward to the Cinderella production next Christmas.  I'm a convert. Long live Panto!!!!

Ben looking a bit nervous before the start.....

Jasmine looking not at all nervous before the start....

The only picture I was allowed to take - strictly forbidden during the performance :-(