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Click HERE to read the Script, look at the Score and listen to the Songs
Census Sums (Nativity)
by Dave Corbett
Pricing & Order Info.
Why choose this Musical?
Unlimited chorus parts
Flexibility
Flexible Cast size to suit YOUR group numbers, from 33 actors upwards. See "Casting" tab below.
Easy to stage and costume
Repetition in songs for ease of learning
Songs are suitable for solos or small groups
Easily constructed and manageable props
CDs of Backing and Vocal Tracks available
Easy Play Piano/Vocal Score (Grade 4 / 5 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.
One special Baby Boy, Two Parents, Three Kings, Four Shepherds, enough Cooks to spoil the broth (figgy cake, actually), and a host of Angels; it all adds up to the very first Christmas. But what about the Census Takers... do they count?
'Census Sums' is a humorous take on the Christmas nativity. Its straightforward plot, simple staging and easy to teach songs make it perfect for the NQT.
Prologue
It's "Census" time in Bethlehem! Six Narrators open the show before the stage is swamped by a crowd of townspeople during Track 1.
Scene One: The Census Office In Bethlehem
In the Census office in Bethlehem, Four Census Takers, the Officer in Charge and an Assistant are preparing for the task ahead. However, it soon becomes clear that counting may not be their strong point!
Scene Two: The Road To Bethlehem
On the long road to Bethlehem, Census Taker 1 comes across a heavily pregnant Mary, her husband Joseph and their comical counting Donkey. After being counted, Mary and Joseph wearily continue on their journey during Joseph's solo in Track 3.
Scene Three: Kings From The Orient
Three Kings bearing gifts and three 'scratty' camels are the next to add to the list when Census Taker 2 bumps into them on their journey to see the baby King.
Scene Four: Outside A Bethlehem Inn
Mary and Joseph arrive at an inn in Bethlehem. Although the inn is full, the kindly Innkeeper and his Wife take pity on the pair and offer their stable as a place for them to rest.
Scene Five: Inside That Very Same Bethlehem Inn
In the kindly Innkeeper's kitchen, a Cook and her Servants are busy preparing a cake for their guests. Census Taker 3 attempts to count them but with the Servants also counting orders, it all becomes too much!
Scene Six: On That Very Same Hill Overlooking Bethlehem
Four mischievous Shepherds are tending to their sheep when Census Taker 4 requests that they form a line to be counted. The line of four turns into a never ending line as the Shepherds use the opportunity to pull a prank! As a group of angels appear to deliver a special message to the Shepherds, Census Taker 4 tries his best to count them all. But what exactly is a group of angels called?
Scene Seven: A Stable In Bethlehem
Baby Jesus has been born! As all the visitors cram into the stable the Census Takers try to count them all. Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Shepherds, Kings, Cooks, Servants, Innkeepers and Animals. So, what does it all add up to? There's only one thing it could add up to... CHRISTMAS!
Suggested Cast List For 54 Actors
NB. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cook | 11 |
| Census Taker 3 | 8 |
| Assistant Officer | 7 |
| Census Taker 1 | 6 |
| Census Taker 2 | 6 |
| Census Taker 4 | 6 |
| Mary | 6 |
| *Joseph | 5 |
| Officer In Charge | 4 |
| King 1 | 4 |
| King 2 | 4 |
| King 3 | 4 |
| Ethel | 4 |
| Narrator 4 | 4 |
| Narrator 1 | 3 |
| Narrator 3 | 3 |
| Shepherd 3 | 3 |
| Shepherd 4 | 3 |
| Innkeeper's Wife | 3 |
| Narrator 2 | 2 |
| Narrator 5 | 2 |
| Narrator 6 | 2 |
| Shepherd 1 | 2 |
| Shepherd 2 | 2 |
| Innkeeper | 2 |
| Jane | 2 |
| Ben | 2 |
| Ruth | 2 |
| Tom | 2 |
| Donkey | 1 |
| Angel 1 | 1 |
| Angel 2 | 1 |
| Angel 3 | 1 |
Non speaking roles: A chorus of four Townspeople (Prologue and Scene one); three Camels (Scene three); a chorus of six additional Angels (Scene six); four Sheep (Scene six) and four Stable Animals (Scene seven).
Note: The Chorus of Townspeople could also include: The Shepherds, Innkeeper, Innkeeper's Wife, Cook, Ethel, Jane, Ben, Ruth and Tom.
Suggested Cast List For 33 Actors
NB. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cook also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1) | 11 |
| Census Taker 3 | 8 |
| Assistant Officer also plays non speaking Angel | 7 |
| Narrator 1 also covers Narrator 4's lines | 7 |
| Census Taker 1 | 6 |
| Census Taker 2 | 6 |
| Census Taker 4 | 6 |
| Mary | 6 |
| *Joseph | 5 |
| Narrator 3 also covers Narrator 6's lines | 5 |
| Narrator 2 also covers Narrator 5's lines | 4 |
| Officer In Charge also plays non speaking Angel | 4 |
| King 1 | 4 |
| King 2 | 4 |
| King 3 | 4 |
| Ethel also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1) | 4 |
| Innkeeper's Wife also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1) | 3 |
| Shepherd 3 also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1) | 3 |
| Shepherd 4 also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1) | 3 |
| Shepherd 1 also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1) | 2 |
| Shepherd 2 also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1) | 2 |
| Innkeeper also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1) | 2 |
| Jane also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1) | 2 |
| Ben also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1) | 2 |
| Ruth also plays Stable Animal (Scene 7) | 2 |
| Tom also plays Stable Animal (Scene 7) | 2 |
| Donkey also plays Stable Animal (Scene 7) | 1 |
| Angel 1 | 1 |
| Angel 2 | 1 |
| Angel 3 | 1 |
Non speaking roles: three Camels (Scene three) who also play Sheep (Scene six).
Census Sums (Nativity)
"Census Sums had a lovely, simple plot that didn't mess about too much with the traditional nativity story (but just enough for added fun) and great songs with bouncy choruses that made you want to join in ... It's hard to try and pick a best bit, although the opening song, "Come Follow The Star", was incredibly sweet, and "Stand Still Granny" was a witty work of art. Best of all perhaps was "Mix It" where the children skilfully sang and danced their way through the creation of a Figgy Cake."Lisa Watson, Journalist for The Penguin News, Falkland Islands
Census Sums (Nativity)
"A really fun musical with magic moments and great songs! The kids loved it and so did the parents! Happy Christmas! "Laura Stewart, St Leonards School, St Andrews
Census Sums (Nativity)
"The large family audience was captivated right from beginning to end, enjoying every moment."Margaret Vincent, The Falcons School For Boys