The Christmas That Nearly Wasn't

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The play was written for an Infant department, (5, 6 and 7 year old children), in a rural primary school and can involve from as few as 15 to as many as 50 children.

The main action in the play is described by narrators and there are simple one or two line speaking parts for some characters, and many opportunities for non-speaking, moving and dancing parts for others.

The Christmas That Nearly Wasn't is a story about a rather grumpy Father Christmas who takes a lot of persuading to go out into the cold to deliver presents.

Song – What’s All this Fuss About Christmas

In fact, when the play starts, Father Christmas, and his wife, Mary, are on holiday on a tropical island, and the locals don't want him to go back to the north pole.

Song - Stay Here, Don't Go

When Father Christmas eventually returns to his home in the north, there is trouble. The elves are not happy!

Song - Why Should We Work

Mary Christmas talks them round, but the problems are not all over yet. The reindeer have had too good a summer.

Song - Too Fat to Fly

Eventually Father Christmas and his reindeer and elves set off. They have to walk at first because the reindeer are unfit for flight. They spend the first night in a forest, where it is rather frightening.

Song - Deep in the Dark Night

Father Christmas sees a small hut and inside he sees a family preparing for Christmas. The scene that he watches makes him realise how selfish he has been, and how important Christmas is. So, with renewed vigour, and reindeer that have recovered and can now fly, Father Christmas sets off, and Christmas is saved.

Song- I've Found the Meaning of Christmas

Comments

...we had 6 days to put it together before our dress rehearsal. Thanks to your easily learnt songs and children who would ad lib we did it.Our staff were fantastic and parent comments said it was one of our best.
Was it just fate that made me choose this? I don't know but thanks for supplying us with a script that worked so well. We involved 180 infant school children, yes we did add a few snowflakes to accomodate them all -- we even had a few inspectors checking on Santa's workshop, they passed the inspection I'm glad to say!

C Beeby Churchhill Infant School Leicestershire 12 Jan 2006

Hi Robert
Today was our big day and the children - who are only 5 and 6 years old performed magnificently. They loved doing it and loved the songs. The applause from the parents was deafening and I know they thoroughly enjoyed the play. The mother of Mrs Christmas has said that she has been thrilled with the growth in confidence in her daughter since she has been involved in the play and she has been reading it to her as a bedtime story every night. Thanks for a great play.
Liz Moynan, Karrinyup, Western Australia December 2007

Robert
Absolutely brilliant . Thanks for your prompt attention. You will have made some anxious teachers very happy.
Sue 7 November 2006

It was a huge success especially as we added a twist - the parents and workers at our pre-school performed it to the children of the village and it went down a storm. So much so that we are having to put another show on this year and your adaptation of Snow White sounds just the ticket." Burghclere Pre-School Nursery Newbury

"Many thanks for sending me the script. It's perfect for my young drama group" Shoutabout Theatre Co. Dorking, Surrey.

Age Range: 4 - 7 years

Duration: 35 minutes

Cast: at least 15

Number of Songs: 6

Prices:

£25.00 Copy of the script
£7.50 CD of songs
£15.00 Piano Score

Samples:

Stay Here, Don't Go
song sample

Scene sample

Images
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