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Click HERE to read the Script, look at the Score and listen to the Songs
Mend The Manger (Nativity)
by Dave Corbett
Pricing & Order Info.
Why choose this Musical?
Flexibility
Flexible Cast size to suit YOUR group numbers, from 27 actors upwards. See "Casting" tab below.
Optional roles for extras
Unlimited chorus parts
Very simple to stage
Suitable for inclusion of "Early Years"
CDs of Backing and Vocal Tracks available
Easy Play Piano/Vocal Score (Grade 4 Standard) available
Extensive Production Notes included in Script
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.
"Mend the Manger" is easy to stage making it very suitable for N.Q.Ts tackling their first Infant Nativity.
Hints and tips for NQTs are included in the script.
Extensive Production Notes steer you well clear of any potential pitfalls.
The songs are very straightforward with lots of repetition.
Although the donkey has a solo singing part, don't forget that this part can be either a male or female role.
There are 29 speaking roles with as many cooks, cleaners, servants etc. as you wish.
"Mend the Manger" is suitable for the inclusion of "Early Years".
Scene One: The Mangled Manger : In The Stable.
The animals want to know who has made such a mess, and broken the manger. It turns out that the donkey's clumsy feet got into a muddle again. The innkeeper takes the manger to be fixed.
Scene Two: Very Important People in a Tent : The Kings' Tent.
On the way the innkeeper meets some Kings and camels heading to Bethlehem to see a special baby.
Scene Three: Pretty Boring : On A Hillside.
The innkeeper meets a group of shepherds on a hill. Apparently, it's boring watching sheep. They warn him of bears and wolves.
Scene Four: Busy, Busy, Busy : At The Inn.
Cooks, servants and cleaners are busy getting the inn ready for the rush of visitors.
Scene Five: Two Very Tired Travellers : Outside The Inn.
Mary and Joseph arrive at the inn, and are offered a bed in the stable.
Scene Six: Dazzling White Angels : On A Hillside.
The angels appear to the shepherds.
Scene Seven: The Baby Arrives : In The Stable.
Kings and shepherds find baby Jesus lying in a newly repaired manger.
Suggested Cast List For 44 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 |
|---|---|
| Innkeeper | 16 |
| Innkeeper's Wife | 10 |
| Narrator 1 | 9 |
| Announcer | 8 |
| Narrator 2 | 8 |
| Narrator 3 | 8 |
| * Donkey | 7 |
| Mary | 7 |
| King 1 | 4 |
| Camel 1 | 3 |
| Goat 1 | 3 |
| Joseph | 3 |
| King 2 | 3 |
| King 3 | 3 |
| Shepherd 2 | 3 |
| Shepherd 3 | 3 |
| Angel | 2 |
| Camel 2 | 2 |
| Camel 3 | 2 |
| Goat 2 | 2 |
| Shepherd 1 | 2 |
| Shepherd 4 | 2 |
| Cleaners - (x 3 actors) | 1 |
| Cooks - (x 3 actors) | 1 |
| Duck 1 | 1 |
| Duck 2 | 1 |
| Servants - (x 3 actors) | 1 |
| Sheep 1 | 1 |
| Sheep 2 | 1 |
Non-speaking roles: Bear, Lion, Wolf and Band of six Angels.
Suggested Cast List For 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Innkeeper | 16 |
| Narrator 1 - also shares the reading of Narrator 3's lines with Narrator 2 | 13 |
| Narrator 2 - also shares the reading of Narrator 3's lines with Narrator 1 | 12 |
| Innkeeper's Wife | 10 |
| Announcer | 8 |
| Mary - also plays Cook | 8 |
| * Donkey | 7 |
| King 1 | 4 |
| Goat 1 - also covers Sheep 2's line | 4 |
| Joseph - also plays Cleaner | 4 |
| Shepherd 1 - also covers Shepherd 4's lines | 4 |
| Camel 1 | 3 |
| King 2 | 3 |
| King 3 | 3 |
| Shepherd 2 | 3 |
| Shepherd 3 | 3 |
| Angel | 2 |
| Camel 2 | 2 |
| Camel 3 | 2 |
| Goat 2 - also plays Bear | 2 |
| Duck 1 - also plays Wolf | 1 |
| Duck 2 - also plays Lion | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Sheep 1 | 1 |
Non-speaking roles: Band of three Angels.
Mary and Joseph will need simple aprons and hats, which can be quickly removed, to play the Cook and Cleaner.
Mend The Manger (Nativity)
"The songs are really catchy and repetitive for the young ones to pick up. The script tells a lovely simple story line of the traditional story. Lots of support for staging etc A lovely production."Michelle Heysmond, Kimberley Primary School, Nottingham
Mend The Manger (Nativity)
"This was well pitched for the inclusion of our Early Years."Parent Helper, Lincolnshire