Christmas kicks

Okay...This piece of news is just too exciting to sit on. Richard Armitage Net dot com has posted an article from Woman's Weekly which states that Mr. Armitage's first performance as a child (like many of us) was in a Nativity play. But here's the kicker...as a donkey!  I can't help it! I find this fact unbearably cute!

I'm sure at the time, being cast as a donkey wasn't considered a choice role. However, when one considers the importance of the donkey in biblical history, one can see that without the donkey, the very pregnant Mary would have had a much more difficult journey to Bethlehem.  The donkey also helped the Holy Family to escape to Egypt when King Herod was on his infanticidal rampage.  Then again, a donkey was what Jesus was riding when he entered Jerusalem on the now famous Palm Sunday.  When viewed from this perspective, except for one of the Holy Family or perhaps the Angel Gabriel -- the donkey was a very prestigious role indeed! :)

RA as John Thornton in North and South

Now it makes some sense that such a talented brooder might have something in common with everyone's favourite donkey from Winnie the Pooh -- none other than that sad-eyed little brooder -- Eyore!

RA as Harry Kennedy in The Vicar of Dibley

Not to imply that all donkeys are so morose!  Another favourite donkey of mine is an upbeat, fast-talking scheming donkey from the movie Shrek (voiced by Eddie Murphy).  Richard could certainly handle that kind of personality!

Notice the picture on the wall?

Richard Armitage and Dawn French in The Vicar of Dibley

Now here's a little Christmas ditty about a donkey which is starring another of The Vicar of Dibley's favourite men -- Johnny Depp!

Did you get a kick out of that? 

Now I would much prefer a childhood photo of Richard Armitage in his Nativity play finery, 

but I'll just have to make do with this...

Do you think maybe he is not too impressed with his costume?

(Ohhhh! I am definitely on Santa's naughty list now!)