Musicline School Musicals
Bethlehem Bandits (Nativity) Cover

Bethlehem Bandits (Nativity)

by Dave Corbett

Pricing & Order Info.
Ideal Cast Size 58
Speaking Roles 43
Minimum Cast Size 30
Duration (minutes)45

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!
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"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.

School Play Backdrop
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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 NameNumber of Lines
Bossicus55
Brainicus48
Denarius21
Mary16
King 115
Peteicus12
Davicus12
Lindacus12
*Joseph12
Wendicus11
Innkeeper11
King 211
Barbicus10
King 310
Bethicus10
Virginia Wolf9
Shepherd 38
Andicus7
Shepherd 17
Pinchicus6
Susiecus6
Shepherd 26
Dimmericus3
Dimicus3
Gabriel3
Innkeeper's Wife3
Sheep 13
Donkey2
Camel 12
Camel 32
Rhyming Sheep 12
Jennicus1
Lauracus1
Annicus1
Francecus1
Camel 21
Sheep 21
Sheep 31
Sheep 41
Sheep 51
Sheep 61
Rhyming Sheep 21
Rhyming Sheep 31

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 NameNumber of Lines
Bossicus55
Brainicus48
Denarius21
King 3 - also plays Virginia Wolf19
Andicus - also plays Innkeeper18
Mary - also plays an angel16
*Joseph - also plays Gabriel15
King 115
Lindacus - also covers Jennicus' line13
Peteicus12
Davicus12
Wendicus - also plays an angel11
King 211
Barbicus - also covers Lauracus' line11
Bethicus - also covers Annicus' line11
Susiecus - also plays Innkeeper's Wife9
Shepherd 38
Shepherd 17
Pinchicus - also covers Francecus' line, and could also play an angel7
Shepherd 26
Sheep 1 - also covers Sheep 4's line4
Donkey - also plays Camel 34
Dimmericus - also plays an angel3
Dimicus - also plays an angel3
Camel 12
Rhyming Sheep 12
Rhyming Sheep 2 - also covers Rhyming Sheep 3's line2
Sheep 2 - also covers Sheep 5's line2
Sheep 3 - also covers Sheep 6's line2
Camel 2 - also plays Bear1

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).

5 Star Rating

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

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  Downloads

Instant Downloads allow you to pay online with a Credit/Debit Card or PayPal and instantly download your materials as PDFs and/or MP3s.

Product Name Product Price Qty
Script (Non-editable PDF) US$14.00
Script (Editable Word Doc) US$17.00
PDF & Word Doc Scripts US$21.00
PDF Piano Score (Grade 6 Standard) US$14.00
MP3 Backing Tracks US$14.00
MP3 Vocal Tracks US$14.00
MP3 Learn it!What's this? US$14.00
Project it! (PowerPoint and JPGs)What's this? US$21.00
Sing it! (PC)What's this? US$14.00
Sing it! (MAC)What's this? US$14.00

  Posted

The traditional means of getting your items. Most of our works are RING BOUND books or CDs of recorded music.

U.K. schools can order posted items with a school order number.
This facility is available at the end of the ordering process.

All UK posted orders are now sent via Royal Mail's 24 hour, fully tracked service. You will receive a tracking number via email once we have despatched your goods.

Non U.K. posted items are sent express tracked airmail delivery anywhere in the world. Please allow 14 days for all international deliveries.

Product Name Product Price Qty
Script US$24.00
Pack of 5 Scripts US$60.00
Pack of 10 Scripts US$94.00
Piano Score (Grade 6 Standard) US$22.00
CD of Backing Tracks US$18.00
CD of Vocal Tracks US$18.00
CD of Learn it!What's this? US$18.00
Project it! CD-ROMWhat's this? US$27.00
Sing it! CD-ROM (PC & MAC)What's this? US$21.00

  Performing Licence: valid for 12 months from date of issue for THIS musical only

The Musicline Performing Licence covers you to perform this musical.

It is illegal to perform ANY published musical without the appropriate licence which is only available from the publisher of that musical.

'Blanket' licences which you may have DO NOT cover the performing of published musicals.

A performing licence is required for EACH PERFORMANCE.

For more information about Licencing, please click here

Size of your School Size Price per Performance Price Number of Performances Number
200+ Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$43.00
150-199 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$35.00
100-149 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$28.00
50-99 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$21.00
0-49 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$14.00
Youth Theatre (any size) US$71.00

  Copying Licence: valid for 12 months from date of issue for THIS musical only

The Musicline Copying Licence covers you to copy ALL of any of the items you buy for this show either posted or downloaded.

This Licence is only available from the publisher of the copyright material.

It is illegal to reproduce or share ANY published material without the appropriate licence.

For more information about Licencing, please click here

Size of your School Size Price of Licence Price Qty Qty
200+ Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$43.00
150-199 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$35.00
100-149 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$28.00
50-99 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$21.00
0-49 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$14.00
Youth Theatre (any size) US$71.00

  Video Licence: valid for 12 months from date of issue for THIS musical only

The Musicline Video Licence allows you to record your performances and sell the DVDs without royalty payments applying. The Video Licence is given FREE OF CHARGE if you order a Performing Licence and a Copying Licence at the same time. Only fill in the box below if you wish to purchase a video licence separately.

For more information about Licencing, please click here

Size of your School Size Price of Licence Price Qty Qty
200+ Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$43.00
150-199 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$35.00
100-149 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$28.00
50-99 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$21.00
0-49 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$14.00
Youth Theatre (any size) US$71.00