Yeah when we were at school there were stand bys. Can't help it if you're ill. I was nearly Nancy in Juniors 'cause the girl was sick
She turned up in the end though grrr
. I'm sorry but in my experience school plays are a horrible time. It was always a chance for the popular/loud kids to have the main parts, the quiet ones to have the boring, insignificant parts, you always knew who was going to have what part even befor they were given out. That time of year always made me feel miserable. I wish I had another interest at the time to get me out of it. 8 year olds, (9, 10 and 11s), shouldn't have to dread going to school at such an age when school is supposed to be fun. Maybe my time has made me a cynic and slightly biased, but I dunno. Sorry if I offend anyone. Not my intention. And I'm pretty sure it's not going to affect your future... what are employers or uni going to say... "Oh, I see at the age of 8 you chose to do something else rather than appear in your school play, I'm sorry but we don't accept people who do that".... They're 8 for pity sake.