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Bethlehem Ballroom nativity cover art - displaying nativity characters dancing in a ballroom around a disco ball

Bethlehem Ballroom

Ages 5-11

Duration 35 mins
Speaking Roles 60*
Cast Size 30-80+

Packs

Book & CD: Book includes full script, character list, curriculum-linked material, sheet music and lyrics. CD includes all songs recorded with children’s voices and full backing tracks.

Book & Digital Downloads: Book as above, with digital downloads that include MP3s of all of the songs and backing tracks, plus a PDF version of the full book. Where available, a complimentary pdf version of the abridged script is also included.

No Pack: If you have already purchased a product but didn't buy the licence at the time, choose No Pack under this menu, and the relevant licence/s in the Licences menu.

Licences

Performance Licence: You need a performance licence to perform our show to anyone other than pupils and staff. Our licences are simple - one price allows you to perform the show as many times as you like during a twelve month period.

Filming/Streaming Licence: If you plan to film your performance and manufacture DVDs for distribution, stream content on an internet site or on social media, you will also need to purchase this licence.

Extras

The EDITABLE VERSION of the script in WORD format is not available as a stand-alone purchase. However, it can be purchased alongside one of the Pack options when a performance or filming/streaming licence is also purchased. It is an additional item (script only, no music or production information) and is not a substitute for the main resource.
£ 26.95
In stock. Dispatched within 24 hours

Product Details

Scroll down to the tabs below to listen to song clips, read the synopsis and script samples, and to view character information.

Take to the floor as Bethlehem’s newest ballroom opens its doors to the many visitors arriving for the Census. For the guests who have arrived early enough, it’s party time and the music is playing! For those faced with a longer journey – such as Mary and Joseph – it means there is no room anywhere.

With seven head-bobbing, hip-swinging, toe-tapping songs and a light-hearted script with parts aplenty, ‘Bethlehem Ballroom’ will you have cha-cha-cheering with delight.

*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. 

Alongside the physical book, the digital download pack comprises all the songs, backing tracks, lyric slides and full book as a pdf. A CD is also available as an alternative or addition to the download pack. For a little extra, the editable Word.doc of the full script can also be purchased when the musical and a performance licence are bought, making it easy to adapt and adjust as you need to.

UK School Invoicing Available - email us at info@theschoolmusicalscompany.com 

Read more
  • Overview
  • Songs
  • Synopsis
  • Sample Scripts & Character Info
  • Reviews

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.

Song Samples

TitleListen
Shepherd Salsa
This Inn Is Swinging
Wise Men Waltz
Sleep Little Baby, Jesus
Spirit Of Christmas
Dawn Will Come
Miracle In The Town

Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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S
Samuel
Bethlehem ballroom

it is the best nativity ever there are loads of parts [60] and the songs are miracle in the town,dawn will come,this inn is swinging,sheperd salsa,wise men waltz,sleep little baby jesus and the best song of all times Spirit of christmas thank you for reading

S
Samuel
Bethlehem ballroom

this is the best nativity in the whole entire world you really should check it out and the inkeeper has the most parts witch is fourteen 14 and the narrators say a part and the next person copy's them it i a good play and the song are miracle in the town,Dawn will come,This inn is swinging,Shepherd salsa,Wise men waltz,Sleep little baby Jesus and the best song EVER!!!!!!!! Spirit of Christmas 10/10 Thank you for reading

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