Census Sums - By Dave Corbett

Media/Arrangement: Printed Book Category: Nativity Musical Play - Musicline Order Code: MEWCS01

‘Census Sums had a lovely, simple plot that didn't mess about too much with the traditional nativity story (but just enough for added fun) and great songs with bouncy choruses that made you want to join in ... It's hard to try and pick a best bit, although the opening song, "Come Follow The Star", was incredibly sweet, and "Stand Still Granny" was a witty work of art. Best of all perhaps was "Mix It" where the children skilfully sang and danced their way through the creation of a Figgy Cake!’  - LW, Journalist for The Penguin News, Falkland Islands.

Product Description

One special Baby Boy, Two Parents, Three Kings, Four Shepherds, enough Cooks to spoil the broth (figgy cake, actually) and a host of Angels; it all adds up to the very first Christmas. But what about the Census Takers ... do they count?

Census Sums is a humorous take on the Christmas nativity. With a straightforward plot, simple staging and easy to teach songs, this nativity musical play is perfect for the NQT.

Very easy to stage and teach with 33 speaking roles and any number of chorus parts (ideal cast size 54, minimum possible cast size 36). The songs are suitable for solos and small groups, with moderate repetition for ease of learning. Separate CDs of vocal and backing tracks and Easy Play Piano Score (Grade 4/5 Standard) also available.

A BRAND NEW product called "Sing it!" is available for this musical. This CD-ROM can teach the songs to the children without any teacher input. Children can use it at school or at home (think of the time it will save you!). Most schools use it in class on an interactive white board or in the school hall on the overhead projector to allow full cast practice. This latest version allows Lyrics on or off, Vocals on or off and the facility to practise one line at a time - all features are accessible instantly with one click. Children LOVE learning this way and the product is foolproof.

Click here for more details about the new "Sing it!" CD-ROM (well worth watching).

Also available is a CD-ROM of Backdrops, which contains instant scenery with digital backdrops supplied in both a PowerPoint presentation and as individual JPG files. No more scenery painting! These images may be projected onto a screen or wall at the back of your stage or hand them to a local printer to print onto large boards or sheets in order to create your stage backdrops. They're also useful to print off for cast and stage crew to familiarise themselves with the sets and scene changes. The CD-ROM of Backdrops contains a different backdrop for every scene change.

Another new product is AudioScript, an "Audio Book" style read-through of the entire show performed by professional voice actors. The AudioScript is supplied on a CD and teaches each child their lines, when to perform them and most importantly, HOW to perform them. The copy and repeat method is simply the best and quickest way to learn. You can listen to a sample of the AudioScript product in the "Contents/Songlist" section below.

Approximate Duration: 30 minutes