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Eyewitness Assemblies
Gaynor Cobb
15 ready-to-use assemblies for Easter to Pentecost
Topsy Turvy Christmas was written for a primary school wanting a Christmas play that tells the traditional story with a contemporary twist. The story is told through the eyes of two angels who see God's plans for the birth of his son as nonsensical - until they realize that the first Christmas is 'so upside down, it's the right way up!'
This book contains everything you need to stage the play with a class or larger group of children: the full script, instructions for props and staging, and music notation of all the songs.
Includes fully notated piano score for all original songs and photocopy permission on scripts and songs.
Lucy Moore is part of BRF's Barnabas Ministry team. A published writer, performer and creative arts director with a background in teaching languages, she makes use of lively original performance poetry, mime, storytelling, and a variety of drama workshop activities. Her work with BRF includes sharing the Bible with children through Barnabas RE Days.
A long-standing music professional, composer arranger and vocal performer, Neil Ogley has done most things connected with the music business, including working on commercially produced CDs designed for children's dance. Neil currently works as a secondary school music teacher with a BA Hons degree in music education.
I enjoyed it as a parent at last Christmas in my Year 3 son's Christmas play, then again a few songs at the assembly for the new Year 3s. My son sang Joseph's 'All I ever wanted' song, it was lovely. The songs are beautiful, my three boys kept singing them for many weeks, so it was good that I could download the Topsy Turvy chant!
Reviewed by Fiona Penn, September 2007
I took over the Waltham St Lawrence Junior Choir in September 2006, with little experience and a brief to produce the annual nativity play along with other services. Topsy Turvy Christmas was simply the most magical experience and my choir of 30 children aged 5-11 loved it and produced a memorable performance.
From Pompey Chimes October 2003
Ever been desperate for a script for the annual Nativity play that doesn't involve Santa Claus and hoards of reindeer?
Looking for something simple enough for a school production, but with enough spiritual input to communicate something of the mystery of the incarnation?
Topsy Turvy Christmas might be what you are looking for. With enough parts for a whole class, easy to follow staging details and the music score for 13 original songs or raps, this should make the teacher or Sunday School leader's job much easier.
It tells the Christmas story from the point of view of two angels in heaven who can't understand why God would want his son to be born on earth. It's only once the baby has been born in the cow-shed that they realise Christmas is 'so upside down it's the right way up!'
It is designed for the seven to 11-year age group, though it is possible - and may even work better - if some of the major parts are taken by slightly older children.
One of the best features is the mixture of the traditional Nativity story with more contemporary ideas, such as the angels watching the story unfold on TV and the creative use of umbrellas as props. The references in the Topsy Turvy World song to social injustice will also appeal to a child's sense of unfairness.
If no musicians are available the cast can sing along to an accompanying CD that includes backing tracks for all the new songs as well as the traditional carols suggested in the script. This is something to put on the curriculum in all schools this Christmas.
Paperback 64 pages