But not to him.
NARRATOR
Some people never learn.
MUSICIAN 1
(re: Musician 2)
Stop picking on him. We're supposed to be friends.
(Musician 2 humphs)
NARRATOR
Or do they?
(MUSICIANS exit)
NARRATOR
Later in the evening, shepherds arrived in a nearby field.
(SHEPHERD 1 and SHEPHERD 2 enter, they sit [or kneel] down)
MUSIC 5: "HOPES AND FEARS"
SHEPHERDS
WE'RE LONELY SHEPHERDS
TENDING SHEEP
WE HAVE OUR
HOPES AND FEARS,
LIKE EVERYONE.
UPON THE HILL IT'S
HARD TO KEEP
FROM DREAMING
AS NIGHT APPEARS
THAT JUST FOR A MOMENT
THE WORLD WILL TURN
AND WE'LL WAKE TO LEARN
THAT A NEW LIFE
HAS BEGUN.
[end of Music 5]
(Shepherds remain on stage)
NARRATOR
In the heart of Bethlehem were many places where people could stay. One place in particular, this one...
(CURTAIN OPENS)
NARRATOR
... proved to be very important.
SCENE 4
SETTING
Bethlehem; the stage is divided roughly into three.
AT RISE
INNKEEPER and INNKEEPER'S WIFE (and any additional STAFF as deemed necessary) are rushing and fussing in and around in The Inn.
(Mary and Joseph, without the hobby-horse/donkey, stand looking very weary)
JOSEPH
(to Innkeeper)
Excuse me, sir. Do you have a room for us?
(Innkeeper would like to help, but is very stressed)
INNKEEPER
A room?
JOSEPH
Yes, sir. Somewhere for my wife, at least.
MUSIC 6: "BETHLEHEM IS BUSY"
INNKEEPER
BETHLEHEM IS BUSY,
IT'S NEARLY OVERFLOWING
WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING
INNKEERER'S WIFE
AND NO ONE WHO IS GOING.
CHOIR
BETH-LEE-EE-HEM, OH BETH-LE-HEM.
BETH-LEE-EE-HEM, OH BETH-LE-HEM.
INNKEEPER
BETHLEHEM IS BUSY,
INNKEEPER'S WIFE
THE CENSUS, AND THE TAXES,
INNKEEPER
IT'S GOING TO TAKE FOREVER,
BEFORE MY WIFE RELAXES.
CHOIR
BETH-LEE-EE-HEM, OH BETH-LE-HEM.
BETH-LEE-EE-HEM, OH BETH-LE-HEM.
INNKEEPER
BETHLEHEM IS BUSY,
AND ALL OUR ROOMS ARE TAKEN.
WE ONLY HAVE A STABLE,
INNKEEPER'S WIFE
WHERE LUXURY'S FORSAKEN.
CHOIR
BETH-LEE-EE-HEM,
OH BETH-LE-HEM.
BETH-LEE-EE-HEM,
OH BETH-LE-HEM.
CHOIR
BETH-LEE-EE-HEM, OH BETH-LE-HEM.
BETH-LEE-EE-HEM, OH BETH-LE-HEM.
ALL
BETHLEHEM IS BUSY.
[end of Music 6]
JOSEPH
May we have the stable then, please.
INNKEEPER
Certainly. My wife will show you where it is.
WIFE
(sighs)
Me, again. I do everything around here.
(Innkeeper's Wife bustles out, followed by a hobbling Mary, and Joseph [exit])
NARRATOR
Mary and Joseph were shown to the stable.
(Innkeeper and all staff exit)
(Innkeeper's Wife enters [The Stable], with Mary and Joseph with hobby-horse/donkey)
WIFE
It's not much, but it is dry.
JOSEPH
Thank you, ma'am.
MARY
Yes, thank you.
WIFE
(to Mary, "woman-to-woman", as she holds Mary's hand)
God bless you, my dear.
(Innkeeper's Wife exits)
(Joseph helps Mary to sit down, then sits down himself. Joseph comforts Mary)
NARRATOR
Mary and Joseph were in need of a sit down, but Joseph was restless inside.
JOSEPH
Try to get some sleep.
MARY
It's not easy for me.
(Mary falls asleep immediately, does one quick snore)
(JOSEPH stands)
(ANGELS, except ANGEL 3, quietly enter [each side of The Stable] and stand near to the sleeping Mary. NOTE: Angels cannot be seen by Joseph)
ANGEL 1
(re: birth of Jesus, to Angel 2)
Has anything happened yet?
ANGEL 2
No. Not yet.
ANGEL 1
(disappointed)
Oh, dear.
MUSIC 7: "THE WONDER OF THE NIGHT"
JOSEPH
WAITING IN THE WONDER OF THE NIGHT
AND WITH FATHERHOOD IN SIGHT,
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
ANGELS
JOSEPH, YOU'RE A VERY SPECIAL MAN
NO ONE CAN DO THE THINGS YOU CAN,
AND GOD HAS FAITH IN YOU.
JOSEPH
(turning to Mary)
I SEE MY MARY
WITH THE HEAVY WEIGHT SHE BEARS
THEN LOOK WHERE WE ARE,
IT'S LIKE NOBODY CARES
ANGEL 2
(spoken)
I care.
ANGEL 1
(spoken)
And me.
JOSEPH
IS THIS REALLY HOW THE BIRTH
IS GOING TO BE?
ANGELS & CHOIR
JOSEPH, EVERYTHING WILL BE ALL RIGHT,
IN THE WONDER OF THE NIGHT.
[end of Music 7]
ANGEL 2
(to Angel 1)
He can't see us, can he.
ANGEL 1
No.
NARRATOR
The angels didn't reveal themselves to Joseph.
(ANGEL 3 enters)
ANGEL 3
(to Angels)
We have to go now.
ANGEL 2
(disappointed)
Aw. Why?
ANGEL 1
Yes, it must be any moment now. Can't we stay?
ANGEL 3
Gabrielle needs us on the hillside.
ANGEL 1
(reluctantly)
OK.
(Angels exit)
NARRATOR
Then... the moment came.
(Mary stirs, now holding Baby Jesus)
MARY
He is born!
(A bright light appears over the stable)
JOSEPH
I love you, Mary.
MARY
And I love you, Joseph.
(Joseph helps Mary to wrap the baby in white clothing)
(Shepherds are becoming alarmed by the growing brightness of the light)
NARRATOR
The star above the stable could be seen easily from where the shepherds were camped.
SHEPHERD 2
(re: distant star, to Shepherd 1)
What do you think that is?
SHEPHERD 1
I don't know.
NARRATOR
But it frightened people who didn't know what it meant.
SHEPHERD 2
Do you think it's coming towards us?
SHEPHERD 1
No. But I'm scared all the same.
(Gabrielle enters, and stands before Shepherds)
SHEPHERD 2
(taken aback)
Oh.
SHEPHERD 1
(to Gabrielle)
Who are you?
(Gabrielle smiles benignly at Shepherds)
GABRIELLE
Do not be afraid.
(Angels enter
, grouping themselves behind Gabrielle)
MUSIC 8: "DON'T BE AFRAID"
GABRIELLE & ANGELS
DON'T BE AFRAID, SHEPHERDS!
WE BRING YOU NEWS OF JOY.
THE PRAYERS OF YOUR GENERATIONS
HAVE BEEN REALISED,
BEEN REALISED IN A BOY.
SHEPHERD 1
(spoken)
What should we do?
GABRIELLE & ANGELS
NOT FAR FROM HERE IS A STABLE,
WHERE THERE'S A BABE DRESSED IN WHITE.
FOLLOW THE STAR TO A MANGER
AND THE MIRACLE BORN,
MIRACLE BORN OF TONIGHT.
SHEPHERD 2
(spoken)
But we have nothing to give Him.
GABRIELLE
TAKE YOUR HOPE, TAKE YOUR FAITH.
ANGELS
THAT'S ALL GOD IS ASKING OF YOU.
GABRIELLE & ANGELS
THEN TELL THE WORLD WHAT YOU'VE FOUND;
GABRIELLE, ANGELS & CHOIR
TELL THEM THAT DREAMS CAN COME TRUE.
SO, DON'T BE AFRAID SHEPHERDS!
WE BRING YOU NEWS,
BRING YOU NEWS
OF JOY.
ANGELS
OF JOY, OF JOY.
OF JOY, OF JOY.
OF JOY, OF JOY.
CHOIR
DON'T BE AFRAID,
DON'T BE AFRAID,
DON'T BE AFRAID.
[end of Music 8]
SHEPHERD 1
Should we go there now?
GABRIELLE
Yes.
SHEPHERD 2
What about our flock?
ANGEL 1
Don't worry. We'll look after them.
(Shepherds exit)
(Angels take the books they've been holding from behind their backs; we see that the title of each book is "SHEEP FOR DUMMIES")
(Gabrielle and Angels step backwards to be behind curtain, as:)
(CURTAIN)
SCENE 5
SETTING
In FRONT OF CURTAIN.
(WISE MEN enter carrying gifts [in cotton bags]. In addition, Wise Man 1 carries a map)
(Narrator watches them arrive)
NARRATOR
(curiously)
Ooh, hello.
(Wise Men stop)
WISE MAN 1
(to Wise Man 2)
Did you bring the myrrh?
WISE MAN 2
No. I thought you brought the myrrh.
WISE MAN 1
I didn't bring it.
NARRATOR
You won't believe who these three are.
WISE MAN 3
It's all right. I brought it.
WISE MAN 1
Phew!
WISE MAN 3
And I cancelled the milk.
(Narrator, with arms folded, turns to look on at the Wise Men as the music starts)
MUSIC 9: "THE PENNY DROPS"
WISE MEN
WE ARE WISE MEN
TRAVELLING EAST
WISE MAN 2
(spoken)
West.
WISE MEN
WEST.
OUR COMPASS SKILLS
PUT TO THE TEST.
BUT WE'LL COME THROUGH
(long intake of breath)
WE ALWAYS DO.
(Wise Man 3 straightens the map that Wise Man 1 carries, as:)
CHOIR
NOT 'TIL THE PENNY DROPS.
WAIT 'TIL THE PENNY DROPS.
WISE MEN
OH. OH-OO-WOH.
DIGGA DIGGA DOOM-CHA.
WISE MAN 3
(spoken)
I like this bit.
(Wise Men do short, soft-shoe dance for two bars)
WISE MEN
OH. OH-OO-WOH.
DIGGA DIGGA DOOM-CHA.
CHOIR
WAIT 'TIL THE PENNY DROPS.
WISE MEN
WE ARE WISE MEN
SEEKING A STAR
WISE MAN 2
(spoken)
King.
WISE MEN
KING.
WE'VE ASKED AROUND
NOT HEARD A THING.
WE CAN'T DECIDE
(long intake of breath)
IF HEROD LIED.
(Narrator, arms still folded, looks at audience over his shoulder; nods a knowing "Yes," as:)
(Wise Men nod "No" to each other to convey "I don't think he did," as:)
CHOIR
NOT 'TIL THE PENNY DROPS.
WAIT 'TIL THE PENNY DROPS.
WISE MEN
OH. OH-OO-WOH.
DIGGA DIGGA DOOM-CHA.
(Wise Men do short, soft-shoe dance for two bars)
WISE MEN
OH. OH-OO-WOH.
DIGGA DIGGA DOOM-CHA.
CHOIR
WAIT 'TIL THE PENNY DROPS.
[end of Music 9]
WISE MAN 1
Right then.
WISE MAN 2
Onwards.
(Wise Man 1 and Wise Man 2 make ready to exit. Wise Man 3 looks dumbfounded)
WISE MAN 3
Actually, it's this way.
WISE MAN 1
Ah.
(Wise Man 3 leads off; Wise Men exit)
(Narrator shakes his head in disbelief, and returns to face audience)
NARRATOR
With its charm and its beauty, the inn attracted the musicians...
(CURTAIN OPENS)
NARRATOR
... who had just arrived in Bethlehem.
SCENE 6
SETTING
As SCENE 4.
AT RISE
Shepherd 1 and Shepherd 2 are in The Stable with Mary and Joseph. Innkeeper's Wife is at the desk.
(Musicians enter [The Inn] with their cases)
MUSIC 10: "KERFUFFLE NUMBER 3" (INSTRUMENTAL)
(Innkeeper enters, clearly unhappy with the racket being made. Musician 3 tings his triangle)
INNKEEPER
(re: desktop bell, to Musician 3)
Don't play with the bell.
MUSICIAN 3
(timidly)
I, um...
MUSICIAN 1
(interrupts Musician 3)
It was his triangle.
INNKEEPER
Oh.
MUSICIAN 1
We're musicians.
INNKEEPER
Right.
MUSICIAN 2
I'm going to be a star.
(Musician 1 mimes "No, it's me" and points to himself)
(Innkeeper looks on, unimpressed)
INNKEEPER
Well, we have no room.
WIFE
Nobody has any room.
MUSICIAN 1
I know. We've tried everywhere.
INNKEEPER
And it's the same story here.
NARRATOR
Yet still the people came.
(Wise Men enter. It's almost all too much for Innkeeper)
INNKEEPER
Good grief!
WISE MAN 3
Hello.
(Wise Man 1 raises his arms, proud of his resplendence)
WISE MAN 1
Da-nah!
WISE MAN 2
We're here.
INNKEEPER
(to Wise Man 1)
You must be joking.
WISE MAN 3
Close.
INNKEEPER
Even if we were completely empty I wouldn't be able to fit all of you in.
WISE MAN 3
It's OK.
WISE MAN 1
We're here to...
WISE MAN 2
We're here to see a baby.
WISE MAN 1
A new-born.
WISE MAN 2
We each have a gift for Him.
WISE MAN 3
Thanks to me.
INNKEEPER
Very well. This way.
(Innkeeper exits [The
Inn], followed by Wise Men and Musicians)
(Shepherd 1 and Shepherd 2 are in adoration of Jesus)
(SHEPHERD 3 and SHEPHERD 4 enter [The Stable]; initially they are unseen by Shepherd 1 and Shepherd 2)
SHEPHERD 2
(re: Jesus)
He's beautiful.
(Musicians enter [The Stable] with their cases. They quickly become humbled in the presence of Jesus. Musician 2 is noticeably contemplative)
(Shepherd 1 and Shepherd 2 notice Shepherd 3 and Shepherd 4)
A New Star Page 2
