Overview
The stable in which Jesus was born has become such as symbol of the nativity story that few people now question its historical accuracy. Far more important, to most, is that it serves as a wonderful backdrop to the events of that night, a surprising, simple, rustic setting for the birth of an extraordinary individual. In ‘Hay Bale Hotel’ we have taken things one step further, filling the stable with animals and having them – out of concern for the visitors to Bethlehem – set up a hotel to provide accommodation for the tired travellers. As it happens, Mary and Joseph are their only guests … at least, until the shepherds, Wise Men and angels arrive!
Synopsis
The opening song introduces us to the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, and invites the audience to travel back in time to Bethlehem over 2000 years ago (JOIN US ON A JOURNEY).
The animals in the stable have heard about the census, and that the town is likely to be very busy. Indeed, some of them have seen it filling up over the last day or so (STABLE HOEDOWN). They can’t imagine where everyone will stay, and decide to create their own hotel to welcome visitors, even deciding on roles within the hotel and dividing up the stable using hay bales to create little rooms (HAY BALE HOTEL).
However, no-one comes. Another day passes, the inns elsewhere appear to be full to the brim, yet still no-one is coming to stay at their hotel. They start to get dejected.
Finally, a couple are shown to the stable by the innkeeper. The animals are delighted.
In the fields above Bethlehem, angels visit the shepherds and tell them of the arrival of baby Jesus (A BABY BOY IS BORN TONIGHT). They hurry to the ‘hotel’, taking their sheep with them.
Some Wise Men arrive in Bethlehem with their attendants and their camel (THREE WISE MEN OF ASTRONOMY). They make their way to the stable and offer their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The animals are delighted that their hotel has proved useful, and wonder who the little baby in the manger must be to have drawn so many visitors (ON CHRISTMAS DAY).
Script Samples
Sample Script - Hay Bale Hotel
Character List
The play has been written with 40 speaking parts, though this could easily be adapted (see p9). 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.
Hen - Hotel Manager | 26 | Angel 5 | 1 |
Ewe - Head Chef | 18 | Shepherd 1 | 6 |
Ox - Maintenance | 16 | Shepherd 2 | 3 |
Owl - Night Duty Manager | 12 | Shepherd 3 | 4 |
Horse - Bar Manager | 11 | Shepherd 4 | 3 |
Cockerel - Concierge | 8 | Shepherd 5 | 2 |
Cow - Receptionist | 8 | Sheep 1 | 4 |
Donkey - Porter | 6 | Sheep 2 | 2 |
Mouse 1 - Housekeeper | 6 | Sheep 3 | 1 |
Mouse 2 - Housekeeper | 6 | Sheep 4 | 1 |
Goat 1 - Waiter | 7 | Sheep 5 | 1 |
Goat 2 - Waiter | 6 | Caspar | 3 |
Goat 3 - Waiter | 3 | Melchior | 4 |
Innkeeper | 5 | Balthazar | 4 |
Mary | 3 | Camel 1 | 2 |
Joseph | 6 | Camel 2 | 2 |
Angel 1 | 2 | Camel 3 | 1 |
Angel 2 | 1 | Attendant 1 | 1 |
Angel 3 | 1 | Attendant 2 | 1 |
Angel 4 | 1 | Attendant 3 | 1 |
