Overview
When people arrived in the little town of Bethlehem in order to be registered as part of the Census, chances are they were not welcomed to an inn that had turned itself into a ballroom. However, it seems very likely that people will have joined together in their shared experience, spoken of their journeys, eaten and drank, and perhaps enjoyed some entertainment. ‘Bethlehem Ballroom’ exaggerates these element a little, but otherwise remains very true to the overall structure and content of the nativity story as we know it. In combining these two approaches, we hope we have created an informative, accessible and entertaining piece of theatre for its young performers.
Synopsis
The opening song introduces us to the events surrounding the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago (MIRACLE IN THE TOWN).
The narrators lead us to Nazareth, where a young woman called Mary is visited by the Angel Gabriel, telling her she will have a baby. A few months later, Caesar Augustus issued a census for the whole of the Roman Empire. Mary, along with Joseph her husband, left Bethlehem to make the journey to Nazareth in order to be registered (DAWN WILL COME).
In Bethlehem, the inns were filling up quickly. One inn had even created a dancefloor for its guests (THIS INN IS SWINGING). When Mary and Joseph arrive, there is no room for them anywhere. The kind innkeeper offers his stable as the only remaining option and leads Mary and Joseph there.
Meanwhile, a group of shepherds come clattering into the inn, talking ten to the dozen. They speak of their visit by some angels, telling them of the birth of a very special baby (SHEPHERD SALSA). The innkeeper, just returned from the stable, leads them there as requested.
Shortly later, the inn receives some more visitors, this time in the form of three Wise Men and their attendants, who tell us of their journey from the East following a bright star (WISE MEN WALTZ). They too are shown to the stable by the ever-helpful innkeeper.
The guests are curious about these visitors and decide to see what is happening for themselves. They pour into the stable only to see that a little baby is fast asleep in the animals’ manger (SLEEP LITTLE BABY, JESUS). The Wise Men offer their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and our narrators remind us how these events have shaped Christmas as we now know it (SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS).
Script Samples
SAMPLE SCRIPT 1 - BETHLEHEM BALLROOM
SAMPLE SCRIPT 2 - BETHLEHEM BALLROOM
CHARACTERS BY LINES
The play has been written with 60 speaking parts*, though this could easily be adapted (see p9 of book). There is also plenty to do for a large ensemble. All characters could be played both by boys and girls, with names altered to suit if felt necessary.
*A complimentary digital version of the script is available for a cast of 30. This is included as part of the digital download pack, or upon request if your order does not include the download pack.
Name | Lines | Name | Lines | Name | Lines |
Narrator 1 | 6 | Sheep 1 | 2 | Rachel | 4 |
Narrator 2 | 5 | Sheep 2 | 2 | Thomas | 2 |
Narrator 3 | 5 | Sheep 3 | 2 | Ruth | 4 |
Narrator 4 | 5 | Sheep 4 | 2 | Benjamin | 2 |
Narrator 5 | 7 | Sheep 5 | 1 | John | 2 |
Narrator 6 | 6 | Sheep 6 | 1 | Martha | 2 |
Narrator 7 | 5 | Sheep 7 | 1 | Abigail | 1 |
Narrator 8 | 5 | Sheep 8 | 1 | Esther | 2 |
Mary | 5 | Angel 1 | 1 | Leah | 3 |
Joseph | 12 | Angel 2 | 1 | Caleb | 2 |
Angel Gabriel | 4 | Angel 3 | 1 | Daniel | 4 |
Donkey | / | Angel 4 | 1 | Matthew | 2 |
Caesar Augustus | 3 | Angel 5 | 1 | Isaac | 2 |
Innkeeper | 14 | Angel 6 | 1 | Elon | 2 |
Innkeeper’s Wife | 4 | Caspar | 6 | Sara | 2 |
Shepherd 1 | 4 | Melchior | 6 | Joanna | 2 |
Shepherd 2 | 4 | Balthazar | 6 | | |
Shepherd 3 | 5 | Attendant 1 | 2 | | |
Shepherd 4 | 4 | Attendant 2 | 2 | | |
Shepherd 5 | 4 | Attendant 3 | 2 | | |
Shepherd 6 | 4 | Attendant 4 | 1 | | |
| | Attendant 5 | 2 | | |
| | Attendant 6 | 1 | | |
There are also non-speaking roles for additional animals and guests.
All performers could be included within the ensemble and take part in all of the songs, positioning furthest forward those about whom the song specifically relates.
