STORY: a TV reporter interviews Christmas shoppers rushing around in a last minute panic while the band plays carols, and market traders shout out their wares. A musical box strikes up, and Mrs O’Deary, a lonely old woman is reminded of the simple Christmases of her childhood. Seeing her sadness, a kind family invite her to join them for Christmas. In the next scene the reporter is observing a classroom of noisy children with their stressed-out teacher trying to rehearse a Nativity play. The reporter’s last visit is to a household on Christmas Eve, where the family are making their final preparations. At the end of the evening, as everyone nods off, a very unusual Santa drops in with her gifts, including a lovely surprise for Mrs O’Deary. At last the true spirit of Christmas shines through.

Key Stages 1 - 2 ; Duration approximately 40 minutes ;  Cross Curricular Aspects include Language, literacy, citizenship, religious and social studies, music, dance, drama, art and design.

CAST:  to suit the number of performers available, the cast size is flexible with 20 to 30 evenly distributed speaking/singing parts and choruses ;  * = solo/small group singing part ;  ^ = solo/small group speaking part

Scene 1 :  Reporter^ ; Stall Holders : Pete*^, Pat^, Nicky^ and Ali^ ; Adults : Mrs Grumbles*^, Mrs O’Deary*^, Mum^, Dad^, Grandad^, Gran^ ;  Children *^ : Sue, Victor, Jane, Charlie, Keith ; Toys : musical box, dancing Fairy or Soldier ;  Choruses : Band, Toys, Shoppers

Scene 2 : Reporter^ ; Teacher^ (Ms Frazzle) ; Nativity Play Cast*^ : Mary, Joseph, Donkey, Innkeeper, Angels, Shepherds, Three Wise Men, Pages, Camels, Ox, Ass, Sheep ;  Choruses : Pupils, Angels

Scene 3 : Reporter^ ; Adults : Mum^, Dad^, Gran*^, Grandad*^ ; Children*^ : Sue, Victor, Charlie ; Mother Christmas*^ ; Elves, musical box, Fairy or Soldier ; Chorus : Children, Adults, Elves, Toys

SONGS:  nine songs and dances explore a diversity of musical styles including music hall, carol, waltz, march and some 2-part harmony.

	Overture
	What A Lot Of Christmas Shoppers – Shoppers & Solos
	Do You Believe In Father Christmas – Children & All
	Grandad Tom Wants A CD Rom – Children
	Mrs O’Deary – All
	Christmas At School – Pupils
	Camel Caravan  – All
	I Can’t Get To Sleep  – Children
	A Christmas Dream – Gran, Grandad, Santa
	Wake Up, Wake Up, Wake Up – Children & All

 

STAGING MATERIALS: for details of the SCRIPT, SCORE and CD, PROJECT PACKS, the NECESSARY LICENCE and convenient ONE-STOP PERFORMANCE PACKS please click the red arrow on the right.