School Play

It had all started that night you see, my final performance in the school play.  I lived in the small, culture free town and was quite a shy little girl. Most actors are, though I'm loud enough now to make up for it. My teacher at school saw something in me no one else did I guess. We were auditioning for the school pantomime and although I read quite well I had never ever been given a proper part due to my shyness. I was expecting the same part as last year “chorus” where if you were really lucky you got to turn the page on the pianists sheet music.

 Myself and another girl were suggested for the main comic role of a great big Dame. All doll faced and heaving bosom. With a yokel accent and supposedly a hilarious laugh. You got that part or the genie. We sat in the large dusty hall, after the obligatory Friday round of head shoulders knees and toes and we did our auditions. David went first. He was tall for his age, friendly and undeniably cute. He would of course be Aladdin (despite being blue eyed and blonde to the point of looking like a poster boy for Ikea.) He read beautifully as all the other boys in our class kicked their heels nervously or swung back on the gym benches.

Next was Sophie Ederton all big curls, slightly buck teeth and a lisp. “Thank you Sophie” barked my nemesis year 4 teacher let’s call her Mrs Crall, wizened with meanness yet raised herself up to full height on her own self importance. She was always unwilling to give anyone a chance. Sophie if I remember played third Sheppard to the left. Sheep in Aladdin? I ask you?! Then it was my turn to read my stapled together dog eared script. My God I was crap. I was nervous and I couldn't really do the laugh or any laugh in fact. Louise (the other child) who they cruelly put straight after me for ultimate juxtaposition did it really well and my only chance had been lost.

 Everyone started to gossip about how much better Louise was and then Mark Aiden peed himself and we filed out of the hall with a slow tread as if we were facing a firing squad rather than Maths cards.