Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Professional Pirate

We had Climber's Grade 1-2 school concert yesterday. Cherub and I went to the matinee together (Dark, he said loudly as soon as the lights went down). In the evening I went off to teach, Crafty came over to babysit, Climber got taken to the theatre by another parent and Fixit walked to the theatre where he met up with a friend; the complications of being a one-car family when one of us works nights. We got the spare ticket for Nell originally but she has just left for a 3-week jaunt to Yorkshire, half her luck.

The overall concert theme was Songs of the Sea. Our teacher's nautical choice was pirates. Arrrrr.

Professional Pirate

A goodly chunk of Climber's costume came from my everyday wardrobe, being as I am a fan of stripes. He looked askance at the frilly shirt until reassured of its piratical-ness. The thing is, he's seen me wear it and I don't look at ALL pirate-y in it. Wench-y, yes. Pirate-y, most definitely not. As for the jewelled belt, that came from some 80s skirt, long gone, and remains in my costume drawer as a memento of how small my waist was back in those days...

The songs they performed were from The Muppets Treasure Island. I helped out with the choreography on the Professional Pirate song. I had the class work in pairs, one as the 'professional' pirate and the other as their apprentice. I asked for the learner pirates to wear L-plates like a learner driver does and their teacher delighted me by making them with a piratical font. Of course the ratbag forgot his. But apart from that he was great. They all were.

As for The Climber, bless his little stripey socks. He rocked. With his bandanna almost covering his eyes and his socks fallen down to his ankles. Sang, dance and acted his little heart out. So much so that at the end after the rousing finish which concluded with them all having their arms raised, he kept his up while the applause rang round and every one else in the class had dropped theirs and were standing or wandering around looking vaguely lost. Just my Climber, arms straight and strong, holding his final pose. And holding. Thus...


Afterwards, Cherub and I waited at the stage door to greet the star. Once more, his little brother was his biggest fan.

Biggest fan

21 comments:

  1. those arms, that hug...your pirate rocks

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  2. I think you have a natural performer on your hands!

    I'm desperately trying not to leave a comment about a friend of mine who was a cross-dresser. It really has nothing to do with you or your family, but your story reminded me of it.

    There. I think I'm going to manage it. Why don't I just type in the word verification string like a good girl and leave you without a ghastly mental image of a huge hairy man wearing a frilly white shirt to work?

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  3. Lordy, that brings a tear to my eye. And then that photo at the end...
    they are heartbreakers, those boys of yours!

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  4. How fantastic! That shot of the outstretched arms on stage is a classic! We're just about to swing into our school concerts. I'll be the one at the back with a video camera.

    (Note to self: must get video camera fixed...)

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  5. I'm sure you a delightful stage mum!

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  6. Fabulous cossie, Stomper.

    You outdid yourself.

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  7. It is a great costume in which he looks suitably pirateish.

    Piratical?

    yes piratical.

    Your dear boys.

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  8. Absolutely Precious. How your heart must swell. Good Lord, MY heart swells, so I can only imagine how you feel!

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  9. To ARRR is pirate...

    and by the looks your boy ARRR-ed fabulously!

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  10. Aww, the boys are so sweet.
    Excellent pirate outfit, Stomper!

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  11. It's the brotherly hug that really speaks volumes.

    -J.

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  12. Just have to post to confirm that I was privileged to see the rehearsals last week and you are not a biased stage mother, Climber really was a fabulous and authentic and enthusiastic pirate. :D He did every single gesture with such gusto, I couldn't take my eyes off him and that's without the frilly shirt LOL You should be ever so proud.

    And I do need to take some credit for the gorgeous L-plates as I made them last Friday (don't you just love my job?) I was actually disappointed to miss the concert - it's the first junior concert I haven't seen for about 8 years - end of an era. Do you think you've got time to pop in and help all the two-left-footed grade 3&4 kids that are driving the dancing teacher nuts??
    Sue
    xxxxx

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  13. Hee hee hee ... I love him in your frilly-fronted shirt! He looks only semi convinced of its pirate authenticity!!!

    And the show! A triumph!

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  14. Rock on Climber! I can just imagine him with his bandana askew and his socks puddling.... how charming!

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  15. you just cannot beat brotherly love

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  16. Ha! Climber looks great, I didn't see the full costume he had already taken off the white shirt when he got home! and Cherub was an absolute delight to babysit.

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  17. I love when siblings hug. It's natural to see them fighting and pulling hair, but hugs are rare and wonderful :)

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  18. Listen, he's very cute (they both are) and the star of the show, no doubt, but don't let him decide to be a professional actor. I speak with deep feeling (beloved daughter's actor boyfriend... pennilesss... shiftless... mumble, mutter...).

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  19. Your boys are so beautiful. They look so happy too!

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Don't let the cat get your tongue.