The Blues

Show Tunes For Cutters

On September 17, 2010, in Family, Movies, music, by Rosie

Our youngest, Pop Jones, learns singing. She’s been singing since the moment she was born, hurling mouthfuls of lungs in every direction when she was hungry, uncomfortable, wanting to be her older sister, wanting attention from her older sister.

Now she is older, she’s quite tuneful. The lessons are helping her develop control and depth, she’s loving her teacher (she has groovy burgundy streaks in her hair and decorated nails) and she’s developing a wide repertoire.

When Pop was about five, I introduced ‘The Sound of Music’ into our home. I’d waited for a while, hesitant to play a movie that would lead to all sorts of questions re the swastika and the ‘Heil’ salute from Pip. (Pip is one of those kids that will devour any new knowledge, want to read up on it, desire to know everything about it … probably including terms like ‘genocide’).

I was wrong. Both girls were captivated by the music, Maria and the antics of the kids climbing trees in play clothes made from curtains. (Then came the questions about the Nazi occupation of Austria).

From that moment on, Pip and Pop have ravaged their grandparent’s collection of what we would call ‘the classic musicals.’

Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, Calamity Jane, The King and I, My Fair Lady. Even the more recent musicals like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat have found a home in our DVD player and been watched at least 10 times each.

Mac and I have been deafened. We don’t blame the Eurythmics concert of 1989, nor the early 90s Midnight Oil gig. It’s not due to listening to our iPods too loudly while our forty-something ears accumulate wax! It’s because of our kids, the little cutters!

N’ere a day goes by without a show tune slamming from the walls of our home. Favourites include: anything from ‘The Sound of Music’ but especially ‘How do you solve a problem like Maria?’ and ‘Favourite Things’. ‘Pick a Pocket or Two’ from Oliver. Also, ‘Food, glorious Food’ (at dinner time, even at the table, ffs)’Consider yourself … OUR MATE’ (shouted, for the effect).

We also have (warning, shouting capitals ahead): ’WHIP CRACK AWAY, WHIP CRACK AWAY, WHIP CRACK AWWWWWAY’ from Calamity Jane, accompanied by ‘YOU CAN’T GET A MAN WITH A GUN. WITH A GUN…OH YOU CAN’T GET A MAN WITH A GUN.’

Then we have the rousing additions from (God, help me) ‘Annie’. ’IT’S A HARDKNOCK LIFE, FOR US … (then, running through the kitchen, arms outstretched) ‘WHEN I’M STUCK WITH A DAY, THAT’S GREY, AND LONEEEEEELY. I JUST STICK OUT MY CHIN, AND GRIN, AND SAAAAAAAAAAAY …’

By this time, mummy’s got a headache. I put on the kettle while chopping the veggies, but actually pour myself a healthy dose of red wine into the teacup. And this is at breakfast time.

Now. Pop’s singing lessons have increased her range of decibels beyond belief. She has a stronger voice than her older sister, and it’s penetrating. It’s more suited to a large warehouse or the tarmac of an international airport than the interior of our home. The thing is? Once the show tunes hit the air, there’s singing and dancing, the dog Effing Jones, thinks he should bark frantically.

And run up and down. And jump. And pull washing off the line. Coz that’s what dogs do in musicals.

Oh.

It’s lovely to have music in the house. Give me two singing, dancing, happy kids than two tweeny, fighting cutters any day! For sure! However, I’ve had to ban show tunes before 8 am on a school morning and 10 am on the weekend. You see, part of our living area abuts the bedroom of two teenage neighbours (the homes are not overly close, but the sleeping area of our wonderful folks next door is relatively close to the regular show tune stages).

Our teenaged neighbours are wonderful girls, but they’re older. I did see one a bit blurry-eyed one recent Sunday and I’m sure she muttered under her breath, (singing) ‘how do you solve a problem like LOUD NEIGHBOURS?’

‘HOW DO YOU SHUT TWO CUTTERS THE HELL UP?’

She didn’t really. I did.