Overview
In “Higgledy Piggledy Nativity”, the stable is cluttered, disorganised and full to bursting with animals of varying shapes and sizes. With the imminent arrival of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, some serious tidying up is needed. However, the crammed, disorderly conditions become the last thing on everyone’s minds as they bear witness to one of the greatest moments in all of history. Suddenly nothing else matters as, in an instant, the world is changed forever. It makes for a wonderful story, and one which we hope you and the young cast have a great time telling.
Synopsis
The nativity begins with a song from the whole cast (WELCOME TO OUR NATIVITY).
Action quickly moves to the stable and its many residents: George the donkey, Henry the mule, Polly and Molly the sheep, Sidney the cow, Nellie the horse, chickens, turkeys, mice, goats. It is certainly full, and things are getting very higgledy-piggledy indeed! With water buckets, shovels and straw everywhere, the animals are struggling to find a space to sleep (HIGGLEDY PIGGLEDY STABLE).
Moments later, Cooper the cat arrives from the nearby inn with news that a baby is going to be born tonight … in their stable! Forgetting to ask Cooper how he could possibly know this, the animals get themselves into a right tizzy. But, once their panic subsides, they set about making room for the baby.
When Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem, they cannot find anywhere to stay (THERE’S NO ROOM). Luckily for them, a thoughtful innkeeper and his wife offer their stable, chaotic as it is.
To the east, three kings are riding on their camels towards Bethlehem (DID YOU SEE THE KINGS?). On the hills just outside of Bethlehem, some shepherds are shocked to receive news from some angels that a very special baby has been born in the stable (WE ARE ANGELS FROM HEAVEN).
Back in the stable, the animals are still trying to find a place for Jesus to be lain. Suddenly, George has a good idea and suggests the animals’ manger. Mary places Jesus in the manger and he falls fast asleep (SLEEP LITTLE BABY, SLEEP).
As first the shepherds and then the kings arrive – with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh – the stable is now full as can be. But nobody minds: they all know that they have witnessed something remarkable and can’t wait to spread their news (COME TO BETHLEHEM TOWN).
Script Samples
Sample Script - Scene One
Sample Script - Scene Six
Character List
There are 25 speaking parts within the nativity as well as group speaking for everyone
NB – Many of the lines are only 2-3 words long.
Character | Number of Lines | Character | Number of Lines |
Cooper the Cat | 6 | Joseph | 1 |
George the Donkey | 4 | Innkeeper 3 | 3 |
Henry the Mule | 3 | Innkeeper 3’s Wife | 2 |
Polly & Molly the Sheep | 2 (together) | Innkeeper 1 | 1 |
Sidney the Cow | 2 | Innkeeper 2 | 1 |
Nellie the Horse | 2 | Shepherd 1 | 1 |
Cluck & Eggie the Chickens | 2 (together) | Shepherd 2 | 1 |
Gobble the Turkey | 2 | Shepherd 3 | 1 |
Gordon the Goat | 2 | Melchior | 1 |
Bubble, Squeak the Mice Family | 1 (together) | Caspar | 1 |
Bubble | 1 | Balthazar | 2 |
Mary | 2 | Everyone | 6 (all together) |
