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Click HERE to read the Script, look at the Score and listen to the Songs
Jesus In The Manger (Nativity)
by Dave Corbett
Pricing & Order Info.
Why choose this Musical?
Any number of chorus parts
Flexibility
Flexible Cast size to suit YOUR group numbers, from 26 actors upwards. See "Casting" tab below.
Simple, easy to sing songs
Wide distribution of lines between characters
Very easy to stage and teach
CDs of Vocal and Backing Tracks available
Easy Play Piano/Vocal Score (Grade 4 Standard) available
Age range - Key Stage 1 Production (5-7 years)
NEW! Instant Scenery with our digital backdrops
A different backdrop for EVERY scene change
Supplied in both a PowerPoint presentation and as individual JPG files.
No more Scenery Painting!
Sing it! "Karaoke-Style" learning! Check out the video below...
TOP TIP: unmute the video to have a listen and a sing along!
*** NEW *** Hear it. Copy it. Learn it!
"Learn it!" is an "Audio Book" style read-through of the entire show performed by professional voice actors. It teaches each child their lines, when to perform them and most importantly, HOW to perform them. The copy and repeat method is simply the best and quickest way to learn. An essential product for SEND cast members. The "Learn it!" product is available as downloadable MP3 files or as a standard Audio CD. Have a listen to a sample of the "Learn it!" product on the "Samples" tab below.
If you'd like a more in depth explaination about "Learn it!", check out this explainer video.
Mary and Joseph have to travel to Bethlehem, a long and hard journey, and Mary is soon to give birth to a baby boy. Unfortunately, they arrive to find the city is very busy and there's no room at any of the inns. Meanwhile, three Kings travel from a far off land bearing gifts for the new baby.
This traditional nativity story, is presented here as an easy to learn musical production. Simple to stage, with small, non-demanding roles spread across a range of characters, Jesus In The Manger is the perfect traditional Christmas production for children aged 5 - 7 years.
Scene One: Nazareth
Mary and Joseph have been ordered to travel to Bethlehem by King Herod in order to complete a census. Mary is worried as she knows the journey will be hard and she is soon to give birth to a baby boy. With Joseph reassuring her, the two set off.
Scene Two: The Kings
Far away three Kings have decided to follow a star that they believe will lead them to a new born baby king. After comparing each other's gifts for the new born, the Kings leave with their Camels.
Scene Three: The Market
Mary and Joseph arrive at Bethlehem to find the city very busy. Around them, Merchants sell their wares in the market. Worrying that there will be nowhere to stay for the night, Joseph leaves to search for accommodation. Unable to find anywhere, an Innkeeper and his Wife offer the couple shelter in their stable.
Scene Four: Watching Sheep
On a hillside outside Bethlehem, several Shepherds tend their sheep. An Angel appears to them and tells them a very special boy has just been born in the city. Curious, the Shepherds decide to visit the new born.
Scene Five: The Stable
Baby Jesus has been born. Mary and Joseph are resting with him in the stable, whilst onlookers and stable animals begin to gather around the manger. The Shepherds arrive to see the baby, the Kings arrive to present their gifts and all that have gathered celebrate that birth of the wonderful baby King.
Suggested Cast List For 45 Actors
N.B. In the following list, the number shows how many spoken lines each role has. An asterisk (*) before the character's name indicates that this character ALSO has solo or featured sung lines.
| Character Name | Number of Lines |
|---|---|
| Joseph | 8 |
| *King 1 | 7 |
| *King 2 | 7 |
| *King 3 | 6 |
| *Mary | 6 |
| Innkeeper | 5 |
| Narrator 7 | 5 |
| Narrator 1 | 4 |
| Narrator 4 | 4 |
| Narrator 6 | 4 |
| Sam | 4 |
| Narrator 2 | 3 |
| Narrator 3 | 3 |
| Narrator 5 | 3 |
| Innkeeper's Wife | 3 |
| Angel | 3 |
| Tom | 2 |
| Jenny | 2 |
| Helen | 2 |
| Friend 1 | 2 |
| Friend 2 | 1 |
| *Seller 1 | 1 |
| *Seller 2 | 1 |
| *Seller 3 | 1 |
| *Seller 4 | 1 |
| Buyer 1 | 1 |
| Buyer 2 | 1 |
| Buyer 3 | 1 |
| Buyer 4 | 1 |
Non speaking roles: Three Camels, a Donkey, Chorus of six Stable Animals and Chorus of six Onlookers.
Suggested Cast List For 26 Actors
| Character Name | Number of Lines |
|---|---|
| Joseph | 8 |
| Narrator 1 - also covers Narrator 4's lines | 8 |
| Narrator 3 - also covers Narrator 6's lines and also plays Stable Animal# | 7 |
| *King 1 | 7 |
| *King 2 | 7 |
| *King 3 | 6 |
| *Mary | 6 |
| Narrator 2 - also covers Narrator 5's lines and also plays Stable Animal# | 6 |
| Narrator 7 - also plays Stable Animal# | 5 |
| Innkeeper | 5 |
| Sam | 4 |
| Innkeeper's Wife | 3 |
| Angel | 3 |
| Tom | 2 |
| Jenny | 2 |
| Helen | 2 |
| *Seller 1 - also covers *Seller 2's lines | 2 |
| *Seller 3 - also covers *Seller 4's lines | 2 |
| Buyer 1 - also covers Buyer 3's lines | 2 |
| Buyer 2 - also covers Buyer 4's lines | 2 |
| Friend 1 - also plays Onlooker | 2 |
| Friend 2 - also plays Onlooker | 1 |
Non speaking roles: Three Camels and a Donkey.
#The children playing Stable Animals could be given a simple stick mask instead of making a complete costume change.
Jesus In The Manger (Nativity)
"Simple and easy to use with catchy songs that the children enjoyed singing and acting to."Susan Kelly, Assistant Head, St Mary's C of E Primary School