Monday, 23 November 2015

Bea-ing Musical

I invite you to remember family parties. Christmas parties in particular. Back when Downton Abbey wasn’t even a spark in Julian Fellowes’ creative eye, before Only Fools and Horses was penned, before Christmas television specials. In fact, before television became a household necessity.

I know some of you reading are too young to remember such a time. Others will, but perhaps will not want to admit to it. But believe me, there was such a time when after Christmas dinner and the monarch’s radio address to the Commonwealth but before turkey sandwiches and trifle, the family would make their own Christmas entertainment.

The People's Friend Christmas Edition 21 Nov 2015
I have an article in The People’s Friend Christmas Special which recounts memories of Christmas Day. Members of the family (some more talented than others, although talent wasn’t a pre-requisite) each performed their party piece. Some would sing, others play the piano, tell jokes, recite monologues and perform sketches.

Sadly we no longer entertain ourselves this way. I’m sure that on 25th December I, along with millions of others, will find myself slumped in front of the one-eyed TV monster. But if the electricity failed and I was required to stand up and perform, I wonder what I would do? Probably recite one of the poems I learned at school and still remember. What about you? What would be your party piece?
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7 comments:

  1. Anonymous23 November 2015 at 16:20

    Our Christmases used to involve a piano and Dad and Uncle ending up with make up like moustaches and other whacky eye lashes and things. I thought that was only our family. Now I must get that Christmas special to have a read of your article, Bea, well done. I'd do some silly song I think, or something dramatic, like, Freddie Mercury and Queen doing the hoovering in mini skirts:))))

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    1. Bea Charles23 November 2015 at 18:00

      You mean you don't always do the hoovering in a mini-skirt, make-up and moustache, Suzy?

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  2. Patsy23 November 2015 at 17:55

    When I was a kid we had a big family Christmas, after the chores were done. I lived on a farm so the cows had to be milked and bedded down before we had dinner or opened presents. I don't remember us watching TV. Probably there wasn't time.

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    1. Bea Charles23 November 2015 at 18:05

      Maybe the cows had their own party after the humans had gone? Perhaps they mooed 'Away in a manger' melodiously.

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  3. Maggie May24 November 2015 at 11:39

    I couldn't do anything from memory so I would have to have a prompt. Maybe read one of my poems and hope for a good reaction!

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    1. Bea Charles24 November 2015 at 14:20

      It wouldn't be Christmas Day
      Without a verse by Maggie May
      With turkey carved, and full of pud
      We'll look to her for something good

      (You'll gather I'm not as good as you at poetry, Maggie)

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    2. Maggie May24 November 2015 at 15:40

      That made me smile😄

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