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 A musical.
Book & lyrics by David Wood.
Music by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent.
Commissioned by Cameron Mackintosh and Veronica Flint-Shipman, ROCK NATIVITY was first performed by the Tyneside Theatre Company at the University Theatre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne for the 1974/5 Christmas season. In 1975/6, the musical toured the UK.
Repertory productions include the Northcott Theatre, Exeter, the Hexagon, Reading and the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh. There have been many amateur and school productions. ROCK NATIVITY has been televised twice – by STV and RTE
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A
combination of contemporary music, carols, recitatives, dialogue
and direct speech to the audience, this family musical is
a modern equivalent of the medieval mystery play – simple
yet not naïve, humorous yet not disrespectful, devotional
yet not overtly pious. The action of the first half takes
us from the Annunciation to the Nativity. The second half
includes the Blessing in the temple, the killing of the Firstborn
and the Flight into Egypt. The set can be simple and basic:
levels can be used to advantage, particularly in the staging
of Herod’s scenes and Gabriel’s ‘appearances’.
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size of the cast is variable. It is suggested that they
all remain on stage throughout, acting as the ‘chorus’.
Individual members can assume roles by adding a cloak
or a hat to their colourful basic costumes, a bridge between
traditional and contemporary. In this manner, doubling
is perfectly acceptable. A children’s choir joining
in the choruses and backing the songs is a valuable, though
optional, addition. The original professional production
employed twenty-one actors. |
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“…
inspired moments of rejoicing.” Newcastle Journal
“…
great fun, and the sheer happiness of the evening is
hard to resist.” Evening Argus
“ROCK
NATIVITY is no ordinary musical. It not only makes you
want to dance and sing long after it’s over …
it is also a very moving and genuine expression of the
birth of Christ … generates the kind of warmth
and inspiration reminiscent of a religious revival meeting
and a modern version of a medieval mystery play all
rolled into one … dazzling.” Eastern Daily
Press
“I
am delighted to discover that according to the composers
of this musical, Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, ‘Rock’
does not necessarily mean primarily loud. It can mean
infectious, hummable tunes with light and shade; and
rock lyrics, according to this writer, David Wood, can
have directness, poetry and wit … I surrendered
entirely to its exuberance and sense of theatre.”
Eastern Evening News
“Welcome
to a Christmas show which actually celebrates Christmas.
ROCK NATIVITY at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh,
generates more goodwill than a pyramid of pantomimes.”
The Scotsman
“A
production full of sunlight, high spirits and love.
It is brimming with dance, characters and humour –
and above all some very good music. It’s a show
that leaves you happy.” Eastbourne Gazette
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 The
play and piano/vocal score/band parts are published by Weinberger.
First Class Professional & Foreign Rights : Enquiries to Casarotto
Ramsay Ltd.
UK Repertory Rights : Weinberger.
UK Amateur Rights : Weinberger.
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