Christmas Nativity plays: for the parents its memories of a tea towel headdress, the hope of playing Mary or the Donkey and (sometimes) disappointing relegation to third shepherd on left. For the children, it’s an opportunity to star. Plays celebrating the birth of baby Jesus are a significant family ritual in Ireland. Curtains go up across the length and breadth of the country. Costumes are stitched, tickets are printed, tears are wiped and videos are compiled as keepsakes.
Coal, Frankenstein and Mirror: An Irish Nativity is a documentary following four schools, from the director to teachers, pupils, and families as they prepare for the big day: the highs and lows, the tricky bits and triumphs. It’s also an affectionate look at how family life is faring in Ireland circa 2012 as another new Christmas arrives. Featuring Scoil Mhuire, Ballyboden, Dublin 16; Templeboy National School, Co. Sligo; the Model National School, Bailieboro, Co. Cavan and St. Columba’s Girls National School in Douglas Co. Cork.