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A Few Words From The Author

At Christmas people like to be reminded of what the festival is all about and to enjoy themselves; that is all this playlet is designed for. It is basically structured as a setting for popular carols and it should be remembered that carols in themselves are very good music and often poetry, which is one reason why they retain their popularity.

Unfortunately they are often rendered in a manner which murders both and it is hoped that in this production the cast is chosen as much for its singing as its acting abilities and that the rehearsals give due emphasis to the musical aspects.

Audiences like to sing carols, but are generally too uptight to do so unless positively encouraged and led. Perhaps the front row of the stalls could be reserved for a well-rehearsed choir and conductor?

In writing a plot in which the children are the principals it becomes unavoidable that the scenes and sentences and even, for that matter, the words, be kept short. Few of the scenes exceed seven or eight minutes of verbal exchanges, and the children's' lines are short and composed mainly of a series of monosyllables. In addition every attempt has been made to provide them with easy cues in the form of questions from adults they are required to answer.

The main verbal burden falls on Peter and Jane, who will doubtless be older children, (but not older than twelve or thirteen). Mark is depicted as a rather immature boy, but his voice should be strong so that he can really bawl out his (repeated) line.

Two items are included which are not carols in any sense of the word.

The first is the Magnificat. This peerless poem of praise for motherhood needs to be sung with a warm, firm contralto voice, and the scene, which is the plot's internal climax, should be informed, despite the pertness of the children, by a sustained note of ethereality.

The second is the Lamplighter's song, which has a rollicking chorus in which all can join. It should be sung by a good baritone.

Although the main group of children numbers seven, more may be added just to act and help the general movement of the play. There could be a problem of balance if there are too many or too few songs and carols, so clearly this is a question for each production to determine, adding and removing specific songs and carols as seems fitting.

But don't forget that it could be rather useful to have an audience singing away lustily as the stage crew goes about its 'lawful occasions' between one scene and the next.

John Papworth
St. John's Wood, England
Christmas 1993