© 2011 Music in Education Works (MEW)

Scene 1: The Home of Michaelmas Mouse

Michaelmas Mouse is planning to go to stay with his city mice cousins in Bethlehem. A going away party has been organised. Michaelmas learns that Mary and Joseph, (the humans upstairs), are heading off to Bethlehem on a donkey. Michaelmas can hitch a ride.

Scene 2 : The Journey

Mary and Joseph talk to other travellers on the road to Bethlehem.

Scene 3 : The Marketplace

An improvised market scene. Michaelmas asks where the centurion's house is where his cousins live.

Scene 4 : The City Mousehole

Michaelmas's cousins think that he is a rather scruffy country cousin mouse, and inform him that they are "sugar and spice and all things nice mice". There is panic when the great cat Morz appears, but Michaelmas quickly deals with the cowardy custard cat. The city cousins suddenly warm to their new hero, Michaelmas.

Scene 5 : On the Hillside

Sheep discuss the "unidentified flying persons" … angels. The shepherds are also amazed and hurry off to find the baby the angels told them of. Michaelmas and some of his cousins, walking on the hills, come upon the sheep who tell him of the angels' message. They decide to go and find the baby for themselves.

Scene 6 : King Herod's Palace

On the way, Michaelmas visits the king's palace. Herod hears news that three wise men are searching for a baby, the king of all the world. He plans to kill the child. Michaelmas is spotted by the cook and maids, who summon the new palace cat, Morz. Michaelmas tells him off for getting up to his old tricks of scaring mice, and Morz promises, "by his grannies whiskers", to always be a good cat in future.

Scene 7 : Bethlehem Hills

A very short scene. Three kings follow the star.

Scene 8 : The Baby

The kings meet Michaelmas and his cousins, and together they find baby Jesus in the stable. The kings give their gifts, and the shepherds, who are also there, give a lamb.

Michaelmas Mouse

Synopsis

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Excellent ... that’s all one can say

Michaelmas Mouse hitches a lift on Mary and Joseph's donkey to visit his relatives in Bethlehem. The city mice don't approve of their scruffy country cousin until he sorts out the tyrannical cat Morz. As they stroll over the hills around Bethlehem, some sheep tell them about the birth of a special baby.

Cast

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Sample Script

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Maureen      Michaelmas, that’s very naughty of you. Look at the mess … and you have got cheese pie all over your new going away tie.

Morris          Never mind, it will give him something to eat on the way.

Melanie       Morris, that's horrid.

Mich           (sucking his tie) It isn't actually, it's very tasty.

Marjorie       They won't like those manners in the city.

Mungo         Well they'll just have to lump it, and talking of lumps, may I have some more

Mark            I propose a toast!

Mich            Cheese on mine please.

Morris          No, he means to wish you luck on your travels. Lady and gentlemice, raise your cheese juice to the one and only Michaelmas Mouse.

SONG 1 : MICHAELMAS MOUSE

( Enter Mum and Dad Mouse. )

Mum           Michaelmas, some wonderful news ... your father has just heard that Mary and Joseph, you know, the humans upstairs, are going to Bethlehem this very day.

Dad            Perhaps you'll be able to hide in the sacks and baggage on the donkey's side.

Mich           Hey, that sounds great. I won't have to walk.

Morris         What about the cat?

Dad            We won't have any trouble from him. As soon as we heard, I crept out and

Mich            I'm not afraid of him anyway. I'm not afraid of any cat!

Mum           Well anyway, the cat's asleep now. Come on, they're setting off this very minute.

All              Bye Michaelmas.

Narr 1         And so Michaelmas quickly, and secretly, clambered aboard the pile of bags strapped to the donkey.

Narr 2         Soon he felt himself being jogged and jiggled, bounced and swayed from side to side, all of which meant he was on his way to Bethlehem.

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