The Vindication of Christmas Show December 2022

MoD Theatre Company followed on history sessions in class by training each participating year group to put on a Vindication of Christmas show for their school.  At St Paulinus CE Primary School, Y6 performed to their whole school before taking the show to the magnificent setting of Hall Place, Bexley to complete our shows on Thursday, 9 December, 2022.

From the 1st to the 9th December, 2022 CRAY worked with the MoD Theatre group and Education Station to deliver sessions to mark the 375th anniversary of the Plum Pudding Riots of 25th December, 1647.  These shows were planned as a key highlight of our project: The Vindication of Christmas: The 375th Anniversary of Crayford and the Second Civil. 

Our run of shows came to a grand finale in the magnificent setting of Hall Place, Bexley.  Y6 at St Paulinus CE Primary performed a show to the public in a building that dated back to those momentous times.

Four schools in the Crayford area took part:  Old Bexley CE Primary Y6 (Four classes); Holy Trinity (Lamorbey) CE Primary Y6 (two classes); River Mill Primary Y4 and St Paulinus CE Primary Y6.

Feedback from teachers and pupils showed how successful the project has been:

‘The pupils realty enjoyed the whole experience, the songs and the play.  This was a great way to learn about history.  For those pupils who were stuck at home for the past few years, this was a great way to explore real life history.  My class could all access the workshop easily.’                                                                                                                    Lydia Aubert Y4 Teacher River Mill Primary School

The children have been introduced to a range of historical events that are relative to where they live.  This makes history more real and relevant.  It gave them an alternative way to engage in history.  It also reinfored the message of tolerance and understanding.  Props were very effective for our visual learners.  The nature of the day was very effective resulting in all children being enthused about developing historical knowledge and skills. Children learnt the need for tolerance and understanding and the huge local history they could explore.                                                                                                 Nicola Carter Y6 Teacher Old Bexley CE  Primary School

The children worked with MoD Theatre at the Summer Fete last summer so already knew some background to the story.  The booklets were very good and age appropriate and allowed everyone to pick up the key points of what happened locally when Christmas was banned in 1647’.  It was great to have the chance to perform to the school first as a dress rehearsal before our big show at Hall Place.  I think it helped take the nerves away.  Children loved performing in the Great Hall.  A parent told me that it would be one of her daughter’s treasured memories.                                                        Mrs Katie Sukonik Y6 teacher Old Bexley CE  Primary School