Bethlehem - a Play of the Nativity

A humorous look at everyday life in Israel at the time of Christ’s birth

Everyone from the Nativity story is there - but have you ever seen them like this before ...

Particularly Herod the Hugely Horrible who thinks he’s Elvis Presley in a future life, and the gossipy innkeepers’ wives whose inns are stuffed with noisy travellers - all getting on with their everyday lives, unaware that the new baby in Elisheba’s stable will change the course of human history

Bethlehem is fun to perform, humorous to watch and easily rehearsed because each scene is completely self-contained

Cast : 26 speaking parts (9m, 5 f, 12 m/f) some doubling possible

Music is not essential. However, there is an ideal slot for a lavish Palace entertainment scene which could include any pieces of music which the class/school/orchestra/choir are working on

The play can also be enhanced by the inclusion of Christmas songs/music between each scene

Runs about 60 mins if you include music and the Palace entertainment scene and about 30 minutes if you don’t

Set - the play works well in the round with no scenery at all, or on a traditional stage with token or full scenery

Suggested Age Range : 8-11