A New Year Play...

On Sunday my family took part in a Russian New Year celebration play for children. Every year people from the Russian community get together and put on a day performance for children. Me, Mum and Linda took part last year (I was puss in boots) and this year our whole family apart from Misty took part.

Merlin tells a story...

This year’s play was about a girl named Snegurochka who is made from snow by an elderly couple.

From this traditional Russian tale came the tradition that in Russia, when Santa Clause comes to give children presents he is always accompanied by his daughter Snegurochka.

Linda played the role of a girl on ice skates at the start of the play and then she was Snegurochka for the rest of the play. I also had two roles; first I was a boy (!! So fun being in the role of a boy!!) who threw snow balls at the skaters and then I was a Russian lady selling Russian merchandise at the Winter Fair. Mum was a Joker and Dad a bear!

The story line of the play went like this:
Two girls are ice skating. Then two boys come along and start throwing snowballs at the
skaters.

There is a snowball fight, after which everyone runs away.

An elderly couple are walking past saying how great it would be to have children of their own. They decide to build a girl out of snow- and she comes to life!

She becomes their daughter and they name her Snegurochka, raising her and taking her to places and teaching her many things.

One day they take her to the Russian Winter Carnival.

The Merhandise seller at the Carnival- Me! Beside me is Mum the Joker

There are jokers and merchandise sellers and dancing bears!

Mr Bear -Dad!

After they come back from the carnival Snegurochka’s friends invite her to play. (me on the right! I changed my name to Philip for the day... :) )

They go into a meadow and the boys make a fire, and jump over it.

Getting beaten up by a girl??!!-No way!!

The magician (who is the storyteller) warns Snegurochka about jumping over the fire. (or she’ll melt!)

Santa Clause then arrives and stops Snegurochka from jumping. Then both Santa and Snegurochka give the children presents.

But two naughty jokers had swapped the presents bags around...

Mum on the left- but she was a good Joker, unlike the other two...

and Santa’s bag had… a snow puppy in it! (yes Lola participated in the play also!).

...starring Lola!!!
At the conclusion of the play Santa finds his own bag of presents and he and Snegurochka play games with the children from the audience and give presents!

We had 3 rehearsal days, one each week before the performance and it was amazing after all the rehearsals how quickly it was all over! It had been a fun experience and I felt a bit sad when it was all over! But hey! The Christmas season continues and we still have Dad’s birthday, Christmas and New Year to celebrate!

PS: From participating in this play I learnt that I really enjoy playing boy roles!!! :)