© 2011 Music in Education Works (MEW)

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Scene 1 : The Mangled Manger : in the stable.

The animals want to know who has made such a mess, and broken the manger.

It turns out that the donkey's clumsy feet got into a muddle again.

The innkeeper takes the manger to be fixed.

Scene 2 : Very Important People in a Tent : the Kings' tent.

On the way the innkeeper meets some Kings and camels heading to Bethlehem to see a special baby.

Scene 3 : Pretty Boring : on a hillside.

The innkeeper meets a group of shepherds on a hill. It's boring watching sheep apparently. They warn him of bears and wolves.

Scene 4 : Busy, Busy Busy : at the inn.

Cooks, servants and cleaners are busy getting the inn ready for the rush of visitors.

Scene 5 : Two Very Tired Travellers : outside the inn.

Mary and Joseph arrive at the inn, and are offered a bed in the stable.

Scene 6 : Dazzling White Angels : on a hillside.

The angels appear to the shepherds.

Scene 7 : The Baby Arrives : in the stable.

Kings and shepherds find baby Jesus lying in a newly repaired manger.

Mend the Manger

Synopsis

A knockout musical

The manger, broken by the clumsy donkey, has to be mended before guests arrive for the census.  A nativity with a difference.

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Cast

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Narr 1             The innkeeper and donkey set off to get the manger mended.

Narr 2             Along the way they met three kings in their tent.

Narr 3             The kings were very important people.

Camel 1          I’m getting a bit fed up with this journey. Do you think these kings know what they’re doing?

Camel 2          Well they sure don’t seem to know where they’re going.

Camel 3          They’re following that star. [Points] They go wherever the star goes.

Camel 1          Well I wish the star would hurry up and get there.

Camel 2          Wherever that is.

King 1             [Enter Innkeeper and Donkey] Hello strangers.

Innkeeper        [Bows] Hello oh kings.

Donkey            [Bows] Hello oh camels.

Camels            Hello donkey.

Innkeeper        Are you going to Bethlehem to be counted?

King 2             No, we’re following that star.[Points] It is leading us to a baby king.

Innkeeper        [Rubbing his chin looking at the star] Very, very interesting.

King 3             We have travelled a very, very long way.

Camel 3           [Aside, rubbing his hoof] Very, very boring!

Innkeeper        Well, we must be on our way. We have to get this manger mended. I hope the star leads you to the baby king.[ Donkey trips on tent rope and falls down. The tent falls down on the kings. The camels laugh]

Donkey            Oops, sorry. My muddled feet again.

      [Innkeeper helps donkey and kings to their feet]

SONG 3 : JUST THE WAY I AM

If the pupil who is playing the donkey is able to sing this as a solo it will be very effective.

King 1             Well it’s time to follow the star again, so we must pack up and be on our way too. [All exit]

Sample script

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