Just a comforting (I hope)
message to all of you who are currently getting hot under the collar about your
forthcoming leavers’ productions. I’m assuming that, as D-day approaches, there’s been
lots of yelling, arguing, threats of cancellation, pulling out of hair, vowing never
to put on a musical again…etc etc. There certainly used to be when I produced
an end-of-year show.
Anticipation of the big
night used to leave me more than a little on edge; in fact, the only situation I've been in that has caused the butterflies to rampage through my delicate
abdominal region with greater force is when I've assumed the duties of best
man. I've had this dubious honour three
times now, which is a higher than average tally even for a man of my years. When
I just think of the responsibility and pressure of this vital role, I still get
a churning sensation. Anyone who’s safely delivered an old chum into the
matrimonial arms of his intended will tell you that organising a stag weekend,
or safeguarding the rings, is a stroll in the park compared to the ‘big job’.....the
speech.
Very much like your pending
production, it has to be well-delivered, slick, and with the right level of emotion.
It must have pace and be audible to the deafest of elderly relatives sitting at
the back of the room. Above all, however, it has to be funny. For it to be
considered successful it needs to cause titters, giggles, chuckles and
belly-laughs a-plenty. During my last-but-one foray into bestmanland, as I sat
at the top table next to the father of the bride (who’d just delivered a
top-drawer speech of his own), he could obviously sense the anxiety and stage
fright as my moment in the spotlight drew near. ‘Don’t worry’, he told me. ‘What
you must remember is that you have a captive audience. They’re on your side.
They’ll forgive the nerves, the fluffed lines and the jokes that are misjudged
or badly timed. They’re all here for the same reason, to celebrate a landmark in
their friends’ and families’ lives. They’ll be supportive and encouraging, willing
you to do well because they’re simply happy to be a part of this special occasion.
You can’t go wrong…..I promise.’ And I didn’t. With a well-earned glass of
bubbly I basked in the compliments and pats on the back and wondered why I’d
ever got myself so worked up.
And so it will be for you
and your class during your leavers’ production. In spite of your fears, children
always pull it out the bag and your performance will end with lots of soggy
hankies, red eyes and big smiles….I promise.
Break a leg!
