Dear Deirdre,
Long time no see Deirdre, how are the family?
Deirdre you would never guess in a million years, my children’s school actually put on a Nativity play with a difference, using ballroom and latin dances to tell an old story. Some parents were chosen and taught to dance by professional dancers. With my wife still in Aus I was wonderfully lucky to be paired with the school’s gym and music teacher, a gorgeous lovely lady called Christina.
The first half of the play was about Joseph and Mary looking for scarce airline seats and rooms in overbooked hotels. I drew on my past experience. The dances had lots of energy, lots of fun. To get into the dances it was the greatest place to start because there was Johseph’s character to explore. Well, in rehearsals we worked on lots of, well, characterisation, trying to find the theme. Yes I think it’s great to use all the elements of personality. Christina got the choreography right. After the first dance an Australian-born school governor called it a bonza.
I have to say I didn’t expect it to go so well, if I was really honest. Getting a mark of 9 from a school governor was very special.
We had fun. Well, it felt right. It was a wonderful opportunity to have fun, feathers, frocks and tango. It was the most incredible experience. What can I say, gorgeous lovely lady, Christina, great choreography. My costumes reminded me of a technicolour dream coat I used to wear for years.
After every dance the parents in the audience were absolutely amazing. After the interval the number of parents dancing was reduced to only three couples selected by the school governors and audience applause. I felt very humble that I and Christina were one of 3 coupltes chosen for the Final dances. I couldn’t believe it, thank you to everyone who put us there. My two children were over the moon, they were waiting for me on the footpath outside the hall during the interval, very happy to go to school on Monday with their heads held high.
Well Deirdre, it was, I think, tougher in the second half. The foxtrot was such a concentrated effort, trying to find the personality in foxtrot. I was officially the oldest parent dancing in the Final. A Final push, a great competition, would just have to dig deeper. There was incredible talent on stage and we loved to be there. Well it was a very special thing in my life.
The Final dance felt sort of anxious and nervous, but when you get out there it was everyone onside, and really exciting. We really gave everything holding nothing back. Christina nearly injured her back and I came within an inch of crying with excitement, but WE WILL SURVIVE. We had all worked so hard and everyone was so tired. We had all gone out to do our very best, well whoever won would absolutely deserve it.
Although we did not win I felt that Christina and I had won, I just felt very emotional about the whole experience if the truth be known. I have to say Christina’s choreography was spot on. I was amazed, thank you to everyone, thank you very much.
Happy Christmas to you Deirdre and family,
Jason