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Click HERE to read the Script, look at the Score and listen to the Songs
Bethlehem Bandits (Nativity)
by Dave Corbett
Pricing & Order Info.
A comic twist on the traditional nativity.
Why choose this Musical?
A hilarious new twist on the traditional nativity
43 speaking roles
Easily reduced to 30 speaking roles, See "Casting" tab below for full details.
Any number of chorus parts
CDs of Backing Tracks and Vocal Tracks available
Performance Piano/Vocal Score (Grade 6 Standard) available
Age range - Key Stage 2 production (age 7-11)
*** 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.
Sing it! "Karaoke-Style" learning! Check out the video below...
TOP TIP: unmute the video to have a listen and a sing along!
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!
Outside the ancient City of Bethlehem, a group of Bandits are busy plotting new crimes. These Bandits aren't exactly nasty or scary though. In fact, they top the list of the most useless band of Bandits in the country and what they don't realise is just how special this night will be. When they fail to steal anything from Mary, Joseph, the three Kings and even the Shepherds, they decide to change their ways.
Packed full of humour and memorable songs, this comic twist on the traditional nativity is perfect for a larger Christmas production with older primary school children.
Scene One: Bandit Camp
The Bethlehem Bandits are camped outside the city, reviewing their annual report. When they realise what poor Bandits they make, Brainicus announces how he has been considering quitting bandit life and going to school.
Scene Two: Nazareth Road
On the road to Bethlehem, the Bandits meet Mary and Joseph. The Bandits consider robbing them, but when they realise that the travellers have nothing of value and that Mary is soon to give birth, they decide that it would not be right, so they leave. With the Bandits gone, Joseph is left to console Mary and help her finish their journey.
Scene Three: Bandit Camp
The Bandit leader Bossicus is angry that the Bandits failed to get anything from Mary and Joseph. Hoping they might be successful a second time, he sends them to follow up on a rumour of three rich men passing over the road with camels.
Scene Four: Nazareth Road
The Bandits discover the three Kings' camp and after a comedic scene with the frankincense and myrrh, decide to rob the Kings of their gold. When they discover that the gold is a gift for a new baby, the Bandits decide against taking the gold, and leave the Kings to carry on with their journey.
Scene Five: A Field Outside The City
Whilst tending their sheep, the Shepherds are visited by an Angel who tells them that baby Jesus has just been born. The Shepherds decide to leave in order to see the new baby King.
Scene Six: A Field Outside The City
With the Shepherds gone, the Bandits attempt to rustle some sheep. When a Bear interrupts them, they flee, scared.
Scene Seven: Bandit Camp
Brainicus finally decides he has had enough of being a Bandit, and is set to leave for Bethlehem. The rest of the gang bid farewell to him.
Scene Eight: A Field Outside The City
The Sheep and the Camels meet in a field where the Camels show the Sheep how it should be done, singing wise.
Scene Nine: The Stable
Whilst working in the stable, Brainicus thanks the stable owner for giving him a job despite his past, and insists that he has turned over a new leaf. The Shepherds and Kings enter and crowd into the stable to see the new baby. Brainicus enters with the rest of the Bethlehem Bandits, who want to pay their respects to the child and who have also decided to turn over a new leaf.
Suggested Cast List For 58 Actors
N.B. In the following list, the number shows the number of 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 |
|---|---|
| Bossicus | 55 |
| Brainicus | 48 |
| Denarius | 21 |
| Mary | 16 |
| King 1 | 15 |
| Peteicus | 12 |
| Davicus | 12 |
| Lindacus | 12 |
| *Joseph | 12 |
| Wendicus | 11 |
| Innkeeper | 11 |
| King 2 | 11 |
| Barbicus | 10 |
| King 3 | 10 |
| Bethicus | 10 |
| Virginia Wolf | 9 |
| Shepherd 3 | 8 |
| Andicus | 7 |
| Shepherd 1 | 7 |
| Pinchicus | 6 |
| Susiecus | 6 |
| Shepherd 2 | 6 |
| Dimmericus | 3 |
| Dimicus | 3 |
| Gabriel | 3 |
| Innkeeper's Wife | 3 |
| Sheep 1 | 3 |
| Donkey | 2 |
| Camel 1 | 2 |
| Camel 3 | 2 |
| Rhyming Sheep 1 | 2 |
| Jennicus | 1 |
| Lauracus | 1 |
| Annicus | 1 |
| Francecus | 1 |
| Camel 2 | 1 |
| Sheep 2 | 1 |
| Sheep 3 | 1 |
| Sheep 4 | 1 |
| Sheep 5 | 1 |
| Sheep 6 | 1 |
| Rhyming Sheep 2 | 1 |
| Rhyming Sheep 3 | 1 |
In addition to the characters listed a Chorus of (8) Angels is required to say/sing a line together in scene five.
Non speaking roles: Additional Bandits (6) and a Bear.
Suggested Cast List For 30 Actors
N.B. In the following list, the number shows the number of 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 |
|---|---|
| Bossicus | 55 |
| Brainicus | 48 |
| Denarius | 21 |
| King 3 - also plays Virginia Wolf | 19 |
| Andicus - also plays Innkeeper | 18 |
| Mary - also plays an angel | 16 |
| *Joseph - also plays Gabriel | 15 |
| King 1 | 15 |
| Lindacus - also covers Jennicus' line | 13 |
| Peteicus | 12 |
| Davicus | 12 |
| Wendicus - also plays an angel | 11 |
| King 2 | 11 |
| Barbicus - also covers Lauracus' line | 11 |
| Bethicus - also covers Annicus' line | 11 |
| Susiecus - also plays Innkeeper's Wife | 9 |
| Shepherd 3 | 8 |
| Shepherd 1 | 7 |
| Pinchicus - also covers Francecus' line, and could also play an angel | 7 |
| Shepherd 2 | 6 |
| Sheep 1 - also covers Sheep 4's line | 4 |
| Donkey - also plays Camel 3 | 4 |
| Dimmericus - also plays an angel | 3 |
| Dimicus - also plays an angel | 3 |
| Camel 1 | 2 |
| Rhyming Sheep 1 | 2 |
| Rhyming Sheep 2 - also covers Rhyming Sheep 3's line | 2 |
| Sheep 2 - also covers Sheep 5's line | 2 |
| Sheep 3 - also covers Sheep 6's line | 2 |
| Camel 2 - also plays Bear | 1 |
Note: The Chorus of Angels is required to say/sing a line together in scene five.
Non speaking roles: Bear (played by another actor as listed above).
Bethlehem Bandits (Nativity)
"Fun and easy to use with catchy songs which the children enjoy singing and acting to. "Susan Kelly, Assistant Head, St Mary's C of E Primary School
Song Samples
Learn it!
Book Samples
Full songs also available on...
