A day of three thirds

starting with Carnival Child this morning. I can’t find a link to the company who present it although I can find evidence of it travelling all round the country. It was held at the local secondary school so for the second time in four days Davies, Scarlett and I found ourselves walking into a school reception and inhaling that unique ‘school’ smell. I’d not told them until we got there what the surprise was and had half wondered if they’d fear I was at least carrying out my continual threat to pack them off to school, but they were just interested in the various posters etc. so they clearly never believe that threat ;). I had to sign in as a visitor and then someone came to collect us. I had thought that more tickets would have been bought by ‘normal’ people as it was billed in the festival brochure as suitable for 3-11 year olds so I expected to see a smattering of preschoolers at least, but it was us, an entire primary school (aged 4-9 or so I guess) of about 300 pupils and some special needs adults. The hall was set up with chairs along the back and a row along each side with the schoolchildren to sit on the floor. We were first to arrive (by about 15 minutes) and told to sit wherever we wanted so we sat on the row of chairs along the back and busied ourselves looking around the school hall spotting no smoking signs (both children horrified by this ‘but children don’t smoke!’), spotlights, a covered piano and a stage. I explained about school assemblies, we talked about what things the stage might be used for and then the school children arrived and were directed into classes to sit on the floor. They arrived in the classic crocodile formation, in pairs with adults at the back and front. A ‘luvvy’ type who knew the company putting on the show had come and sat next to us and was very amused by Davies, Scarlett and I talking about the schoolchildren. They had most curious methods of crowd control including getting one child to stand at the front and carry out a bizare series of touching his head, shoulders, nose, clapping, sticking his tongue out etc. while all the children on the floor had to copy him and all the adults (teachers and helping parents I assume) joined in too. Davies sat there looking very horrified and faintly embarrassed for them all whispering (but they look silly!) while Scarlett and I played paper, scissors, stone and refused to be quiet when all the schoolchildren were being hushed (why? the play hadn’t started, people always talk at the theatre before the lights go down). Two of the children were from Beavers and looked delighted to see Davies, waving and hissing ‘Hey, Davies! Hello!’ at him before sitting on the floor while we sat on our chairs. The person at the front started doing a clapping hand raising thing similar to the we will rock you crowd move at a Queen concert to which I started to explain to Davies about crowd control and also about how there was only one adult to every 15 or so children and actually they could get together and revolt if they thought about it. I don’t think I could ever send the kids to school really, having given them so many encouragements to defy pointless authority! 😉 Then again they might rebel against me and be the most conforming adults ever 😆

The show was pretty good – a full hour long so Tarly was slightly restless in places but Davies sat transfixed with just the odd whispered question. There was an odd moment when some of the children seemed to think they were at a panto and started interacting with loads of ‘oh no it’s not!’ when the first puppet was explaining the plot line (to do with carnival magic saving the rainforest with the use of dancing, music and a magic mirror – slightly tricky to follow anyway so not helped by the wave of ‘it’s behind you!’ that followed once one or two children had started) and the adults all looked panicked while trying to shush them 😆 We left the instant it was over as there was a load of ‘now sit with your hands in your laps while we all line up in order’ from a woman who I assume was the headteacher but having been there really early I wish we’d gone over to the stage and tried to talk to the people putting on the show beforehand to learn a bit of the behind the scenes stuff. I explained to Davies how the puppets worked (they were on sticks – we saw the occasssional flash of hand from beneath) so I think we might have a go at that next time we’re home for the day. Also there was a bit about snake charming which I tried to explain to D&S in whispers but need to find a proper clip of real life to show them. Will search youtube later.

Home for lunch and in about half an hour we’re off fruit picking.