Was This Your Childhood Christmas Play, David Soul?
I meant to post this awhile back, but couldn't find the photos...now here we go.
My theory, based on the evidence in these photos, is that this play was written by David Soul's mother and he had a childhood role in it. If anyone reads and reviews the evidence presented, do you think I am right?
Front Piece of the little booklet, a booklet containing a nice Christmas Play/service for the children of the congregation. What could be so mid-20th century Christian as a lovely steepled church, snow drifting, lit and welcome within?
Author's Page: See the last name? "Solberg" - David Soul's birth name. His father was a pastor...it is not out of character for the pastor's wife to be heavily involved in working with Sunday School and the children/families of the parish...I did not photograph the dates, but I wrote them down...2 dates: 1947 and 1950 - I guess 2 versions of the pamphlet... The timing would work, matched against his age(s) at the time...
The section of the little play, "The Annunciation" (always my favorite part of any Christmas play...). This is important later, in the close up of the right hand page.
Here is the page with the "lines" for each character, from the "Annunciation" section. Note the second paragraph...where the "CHILDREN" gather and speak. See the quote - that the lead speaker is a little boy named "David"...hmmmm??? David Soul? And if it was David Soul, wow! What a powerful line!
If my theory is correct, it does explain a bit of the "tension" discussed between David and his parents. This Christmas play also has a Roman Soldier! And...if David's mother wrote this play, cast this play, and did not cast her firstborn son in the ubercool role of the Roman Soldier - I can see how that would scream "parental rejection" for years to come.
This is a very odd posting, but it was too weird/fun not to share. The original of this pamplet is owned by my church. I've been volunteering, cataloging more than 60 years of "library" that's piled up in the bins and trunks in the back of the Fellowship Hall, in prep for the building of a new library. Finding this little gem...I just had to share!
Good evening to all, stay warm, writes-
Angel