A NIGHT AS DAVID COPPERFIELD’S WIFE

When I was in elementary, our school presented a production of May Day programs each year. For a few weeks, we became spinning tops, square danced to Buttons and Bows or transformed ourselves into Beatniks, dancing the twist.

But the year that stands out most for me was sixth grade. The sixth graders were always the class to dance the May Pole. A huge pole was erected in the center of the gymnasium. Attached to the pole were streamers of ribbon. As we each held a ribbon, we wrapped them, as we danced, around the pole. There were two separate dances done in such a way to either create a spider web, dancing with your partner, or to wrap the pole itself in a colorful braid, as we danced individually. Of course, once it was finished, the dancers then had to dance in the opposite direction and unwrap their work. One mistake by one person of the fifty plus dancers, and it was total Chaos! 

As sixth graders in 1960-61, it was our turn to be challenged by the May Pole. Since each year there was a theme, this year ours was Literary Characters. To my delight, my boyfriend, since fifth grade, Harry George, was chosen as my dance partner. He was to be David Copperfield and I was to play the part of his wife.

As my costume, my mother took an old dress of hers, made of lace and voile, covered with blue flowers, from her closet. She added lace sleeves, a splash of lace material at the throat and a sash at the waist. Hanging to my ankles, it fit perfectly and I felt beautiful!

This particular year, the school purchased brand new ribbons for the pole of every color of the rainbow. Our class felt so special and were determined, as one mind, to dance each step perfectly! We practiced extremely hard, taking our challenge very seriously.

The night of May Day, we were electrified with excitement! As we took our ribbon in hand, we said a prayer that our steps would fall as planned and we would have the perfect performance. Our hard work paid off as we finished both dances to perfection! 

As we stood quietly with our ribbons stretched out displaying their beautiful colors, the music began to play again. The lights were lowered and a spot light was placed over the May Pole, highlighting the beautiful ribbons.

The entire student body began to sing Over the Rainbow and the gym was transformed into a magical place of color, musical notes and young voices to be caught in our memories for a lifetime!