Every Christmas we have a fun Christmas Party with good food and entertainment. Its’ a grand social event attended by most of our members. This year President Sandra and Chief Elf Liz wondered what we could do, #covid19 loves a party! Zoom is now the way we meet. How do we make it happen?
Memories of previous parties with games, recitals and performances didn’t seem possible. But, nothing is impossible. What about a pantomime asked President Sandra? So our ertwhile writer Sue looked through our archives and found Snow White and the Seven Soroptimists. Chief Elf Liz chatted up her neighbour and musician friend Tom. Club members ‘volunteered’ for roles in the panto or to talk about their most memorable Christmas. Our techy member and Zoom admin Val was asked how it could work. And so began the planning of our 2020 Christmas Party.
Pantomime Rehearsals started in earnest. It soon became apparent that a ‘live’ performance on Zoom would be difficult. The recording function came in very handy and posting the ‘clips’ to Youtube gave the thespians amongst us chance to review what we do. Seven Soroptimist trying to sing Hi Ho Hi Ho on Zoom is not for the feint-hearted.
Chief Elf Liz sent out Party Programme. So at 7 pm on the 9th December we sat at our screens with a glass of whatever we fancied and a mince pie. We came dressed up in our best – its a long time since we wore our glad-rags.
President Sandra introduced Tom Richardson and we started the party singing along with him. We gave a fantastic rendition of While Shepherds Watch their Flock by Night to the tune of Ilkley Moor B’tat. Carols and Christmas songs followed and finished on Silent Night – very apt as we were all on mute.
Stories of memorable Christmas pasts followed. And then a quiz of Christmas Cracker jokes.
Question: Why couldn’t Mary and Joseph join their work conference call?
Answer: Because there was no Zoom at the inn.
And then we settled to watch Snow White and the Seven Soroptimists. Very apt as we were in the #16DaysofActivism and in essence the story is about domestic abuse – but the ending of our Panto resulted in Snow White turning down the Prince’s offer of marriage and choosing to be a Soroptimist – hurray.
There was lots of audience participation especially booing when the Evil Queen appeared.
We finished the night with a rousing version ‘unmuted’ of ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’
A Good Time was had by ALL.