Juniors' play

By our correspondent, Sue Webster

“Living in a box is so much fun/Oughta be the rule for everyone” was the catchy chorus which sent everyone home humming from the 2008 Christmas play. It's an odd sentiment which did not entirely convince (anyone for Waterloo Bridge?), but then that was not the point. Merely to ponder what life on the streets might be like was the laudable goal of the piece — and judging by the conversations of the child actors after the show, it certainly succeeded.

Elizabeth had the starring role as a homeless woman reluctantly befriended by two little boys. She has principles – unlike some of her homeless friends – and refuses to take the boys' pocket money. For the boys (Matthew and William) her brusque rejection is both hurtful and incomprehensible, but there's another complication: their mother (Angel) is naturally protective of her sons and forbids them any more contact with the rough sleepers.

In the end all social strata are touchingly reconciled, via an emotional journey punctuated by musical interludes both poignant and jolly. Thanks no doubt to Ms Padel's excellent direction, the standard of singing throughout the production was particularly high. Sets and costumes were mercifully low key, not to mention egalitarian. There seems to be not a single St. Aidan's child who is unable to come up with a pair of trousers with holes in the knees.

In fact given the current taste for economic restraint, the choice of play was a stroke of genius. 'Poor, but 'appy,' was the tone; it certainly brought a tear to my eye.