The Taverham Hall Ceremony of Carols, of which this is the revised version, began in 1946 and has been running every three years almost without interruption since then. The production was a celebration of Christmas in words, music and dance, and featured the Chapel Choir whose beautiful singing on the staircase was complemented by bible readings, poetry, and modern dance performed by a group of Year 5 and 6 children. The Junior Choir shone too, singing the poem "The Mice in the Hay" set to music by Jonathan Dodd.
When the original costumes (which were tailor-made especially for the Ceremony of Carols) were brought out of storage and used once more it seemed almost as if the old characters were visiting the new production, rather like benign spirits from the past.
The final tableau was reminiscent of a nativity scene from an old master, as the candles which had been lit on the stairs gradually faded once more into darkness, leaving only the glow from inside the stable to dispel the darkness.
Thank you once again to Jonathan for music, Wendy for make-up and costumes, Christine for direction and production, Neil for assembling the set, and especially to all the cast for their hard work in bringing this moving drama to life in our Inner Hall.
(Apologies for the photos; these lighting conditions are rather problematic. If you have suitable pictures that you would be happy to share, please mail them to me at punwin@UK2K.com.)