Writing our school Christmas play soon - need ideas!!!

[Miaou]

Your mission, should you choose to accept it.....

Each year we put on a Christmas play in our school, which has only 8 pupils, so buying in or adapting a school play is not an option! In previous years we have adapted stories - one year we took "Granny goes to Bethlehem" and rewrote it, have also done "The Angry Innkeeper".

The play usually has a nativity theme but it can be vague (one year we did The Good, the Bad and the Donkey - three little devils tempting the Donkey to wake baby Jesus and three little angels trying to stop them!!). Last year we had a Santa theme but the "moral" was about sharing, being kind etc. Naturally the whole thing is padded out with local jokes and some singing.

We are getting together next week (me, the teacher and three mums over a couple of bottles of wine and a laptop!) to write the play but I am completely out of ideas. Anyone have any they would care to share? Or any good Christmas stories we could possibly adapt?

Thankyouthankyouthankyou!

Anyone?

I can't think of anything yet but will bump this up in case anyone else has an idea.

Well if you want to shamelessly pinch someone's idea (!) last year our school did a (published) production called "the Bossy King", which was basically the nativity story told from the point of view of King Herod (and the wise men).

Needless to say they actually missed out the end bit about the slaughter of the innocents!

Hi, Miaou!

This may be of interest........from Radio 2's Pause for Thought this morning.

A true story. Picture a nativity play..........

The child playing the Innkeeper only has one line to say, but things don't go according to plan when the child playing Joseph starts to argue his case.

I: There's no room at the inn.
J: But we need a room.
I: There's no room at the inn.
J: But we're tired.
I: There's no room at the inn.
J: But my wife is pregnant.
I: That's not my fault.
J (Showing a knowledge beyond his years): It's not mine, either!

Another nativity play....

After the shepherds and wise men have left, the innkeeper gazes into the crib and promptly forgets his line. His line is:- "Isn't it amazing that this tiny baby will be the Saviour of the world". Instead he copies what he's heard adults say so many times before and says "Oooh, doesn't he look just like his Father?!!"

Sorry, this may not be relevant but it made me smile. Also, the above is as I remember it and I probably have changed some of the words. Pause For Thought is on Terry Wogan's show, Radio 2 approx 9.15 each weekday morning. They have done a book or two which you may be able to get from your library. It might have some ideas you can use. Good luck with your writing!

This has some Christmas plays on it which you can use/adapt for free

Thank you folks

We find it nearly impossible to adapt plays because they are written for a cast of 30+ and we have only 8 kids in school, of which only 4 could take any substantial role!

Any ideas for Christmas stories we could adapt perhaps?

I can't actually remember the story properly ( you may well ask why I'm bothering to type this then) but there is a story about the Little Christmas Tree, isn't there? I think it doesn't get chosen because the people who come all want big flashy trees but then a nice poor family choose it and it kind of learns that love is important and not money. I'll have a google- it just sounds like it would have the right sort of cast numbers and a nice relevant message.

If you can bear the tinny music, the story is here in song form. Actually more to it than I remember, maybe a bit twee. Well, definitely a bit twee, but it has potential!

Another version as a book synopsis:

This is a simple tale about the smallest seedling planted in a field of pine trees who yearns to grow tall enough to become a Christmas tree. Waiting to grow seems like an eternity to this eager little tree. As time passes and the seasons change, the seedling begins to observe the beauty of her forest world and the magical gifts that nature brings the sky, wind, sun and rain. She dreams of all the different things she could become when she grows tall a shelter for rabbits and squirrels, cozy winter nest for birds, even a window frame for a family's home. Gradually she comes to understand what her longing is really about: the joy of life is to be found anew in each and every day, in appreciating the ordinary moments and the wonders of nature that are often taken for granted. The Littlest Christmas Tree is a book for the entire family to read together, inspiring children impatient to be grown up, and to remind adults who may have forgotten childhood pleasures. The Littlest Christmas Tree provides a gentle, simple and compelling message which invites readers of all ages to pause and reflect on the beauty and promise of today, and to embrace the possibilities of tomorrow.

Stop me if I'm boring you

Thanks tamum, that has possibilities!

Anyone else?