‘A Meowry Christmas’ showcases childhood joy and exuberance
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The six snowmen in ‘A Meowry Christmas’ whnich was performed by pupils from First Classes in St Paul’s infant school on Lyster Street last week.All pics by Terry O’NeillImage 2 of 10
Mr. Grinch on stage in ‘A Meowry Christmas’ in St Paul’s infant school. Photos: Terry O’NeillImage 3 of 10
Nevaeh Rose Summers was pictured in the arms of her granddad, Craig Worthington, at the Christmas play last week.Image 4 of 10
A little snowman strains to reach the microphone during the First Classes production of ‘A Meowry Christmas’ in St Paul’s infant school in Athlone. Photos: Terry O’NeillImage 5 of 10
Santa Claus and his reindeer, Rudolph, are flanked by an eager group of snowmen during the St Paul’s NS school play last week.Image 6 of 10
Glad to be in front of the microphone at the St.Paul’s NS infant school play last week.Image 7 of 10
Pupils from the First Classes in St Paul’s NS, Athlone, last week pictured on stage during their school play last week.Image 8 of 10
Captured cats on stage during a performance of ‘A Meowry Christmas’ in St Paul’s NS on Lyster Street in Athlone last week.Image 9 of 10
Three snowflakes from the First Classes in St. Paul’s NS during a performance of their school play ‘A Meowry Christmas’ last week.Image 10 of 10
Narrators tell the story of ‘A Meowry Christmas’ which was performed by pupils from First Classes in St Paul’s NS in Athlone last weekThe very essence of childhood is captured in its purest form in primary schools around the country as teachers work tirelessly with their little charges to produce the annual Christmas play.
In Athlone's co-educational infant school, St Paul's on Lyster Street, preparations for the Christmas play began as soon as the Halloween decorations came down, and their recent production of 'A Meowry Christmas' hit all the right notes with an audience made up of proud mammies, daddies and siblings, and even prouder grandparents!
Starring boys and girls from First Classes in the local school, the heartwarming play was written by teacher Lisa Reid, and featured a hugely creative and colourful cast made up of cats, mice, snowmen, snowflakes, narrators, Mr. Grinch, Santa Claus, his reindeer and his trusty elf, Logan. One teacher quickly blessed herself as she waited for the production to get underway while others nervously eyed each other in the hopes that their many long hours of painstaking rehearsals would prove fruitful.
The entire production almost came undone when the curtains parted in the St Paul's school hall and over 30 giddy and extremely excited five and six year olds laid eyes on their parents. There was much jumping up and down, and pointing fingers as familiar and loving faces were spotted in the audience. One little girl did what every other child probably wanted to do, but thought better of it. She bounded down the three steps from the stage to give her mammy the biggest hug before calmly rejoining her classmates for a whirlwind journey into a magical wood.
Six of the cutest little snowmen (and snowgirls) and three adorable snowflakes were full of childish exuberance and joy as they looked sykwards to belt out a beautiful little song with the lines 'snowflakes falling from the sky, my oh my” which had the mammies and daddies enraptured.
The snowmen were all decked out in little white fleece onesies and had their faces painted white, while the snowflakes were wearing white snow 'crowns' on their heads and had large snowflakes pinned to their chests.
The storyline kept moving very swifly thanks to the very capable narrators. Even the minor technical glitch of a drooping microphone failed to deter the determined storytellers who simply hunched down to deliver their lines.
Ms Reid's play centred around six children who become lost in a magical wood, where they encounter a group of cats who end up being captured by who else other than the villlainous Mr Grinch. The cats are ultimately rescued by a band of brave mice, which causes Mr Grinch to reflect on his actions.
He realises that he acted the way he did because he was lonely, and then Santa arrives with his reindeer and elf and everyone lives happily ever after!
How did we all know that Mr Grinch - with his bright green furry onesie and green face - behaved badly because he was lonely? The penny dropped when he performed a few lines from 'All By Myself' by Celine Dion wearing a very sad face indeed.
As well as the snowmen and snowflakes and the cats, mice, Santa, narrators and all the other main cast members, other very important roles on stage in 'A Meowry Christmas' were played by the children who acted as props, actively supporting the storytelling with trees, clouds, the sun and a range of musical instruments.
No primary school Christmas play would be complete without an appearance by Santa Claus and Rudolph and there was great excitement on stage and in the audience when one of the staff from St Paul's hoisted a big red sleigh onto the stage and Santa duly hopped on board.
'A Meowry Christmas' came to a rousing conclusion with a Jingle Bell dance featuring the entire cast of First Class pupils. Despite the best efforts of teachers to keep the little ones in their charge under control, the task proved next to impossible as some very wayward dance moves slowly crept in. One of the mice completely stole the show as she joyfully danced her way across the stage with a big beaming smile while showcasing her extremely impressive dancing skills.
The St Paul's NS First Classes Christmas play by Lisa Reid was directed by Lorraine Duignan, Deirdre Flood, and Lisa, assisted by Lisa Connaughton, Emily Fallon and Annmarie Bracken.