CHILDREN at a Romsey primary school treated parents and staff to a 2,000 year old Christmas performance last week.

Pupils from Reception, Years 1 and 2 at Romsey Abbey C of E Primary School, Church Lane, sang their hearts out for the musical Nativity play, titled 'It's a Party'.

The school’s music teacher, Marion Maxey, said: "This year we chose to do a musical nativity by Mark and Helen Johnson.

"We have had great fun during the rehearsals and the children responded very well to their acting and singing roles.

"The musical has catchy tunes which the children love singing and these were well received by our audiences too. We did two performances, in the morning and again early evening.

"Both performances were packed out with parents, grandparents and older brothers and sisters – it was a really wonderful atmosphere and a great family occasion.”

She added: "The costumes were brilliant and we thank the parents and school staff for their skills in putting together such a colourful array which makes the musical really come alive.

"The scene with the angels was particularly memorable as the stage was fully of wonderfully white, glittering wings and sparkly halos.

"This version of the nativity play also includes numbers about baking a cake for this very special party, a song call Nice & Steady- about the journey to Bethlehem; we had a very authentic donkey leading the way, Wakey Wakey which the angels sing to shepherds and Hey Ho away we go to see the baby.

"All were very jolly songs which get the audience’s feet tapping along to the music but nevertheless keep the serious nature of the story very much in our minds.”

Headteacher, Julie-Ann Palfrey, said: “We are really proud of the very good performances the pupils have given and the audiences commented on the clearly spoken words and the confident singing.

"Even though this was a performance by the younger pupils I am delighted that members of the Year 6 technical team supported by taking full charge of the lighting for the production and another year 6 pupil was the drummer whilst Mrs Maxey played the piano and conducted the singing.

"It was a really happy and memorable production. ”

The performance took place on Wednesday, December 11.