The Nativity is a Christmas fable play produced by Cornley Drama Society. It is the first installment of the second series of The Goes Wrong Show. It was first aired in the UK on 22nd December 2020, The episode wasn’t filmed infront of a studio audience due to COVID-19, however reactions were edited in.
Synopsis[]
The episode starts with Chris playing Away in a manger on a piano. He starts the show by saying that the show was funded by a sponsor and that two fire drills will happen during the show. The play starts with Mary (Sandra) and joseph (Max) in their home in Nazareth. They are then joined by the Angel Gabriel (Robert). Mary (Sandra) and Joseph (Max) then travel to bethlehem with a donkey (Vannessa and Annie). (Song - Little donkey)
Meanwhile three shepherds (Dennis, Vanessa, Annie) in a field). The fire alarm goes off, with Chris trying to stop the cast leaving. The shepards are joined by the Angel Gabriel (Robert) who tells them to travel to bethlehem. We are then taken to King Herods palace. The courtier (Sandra) introduces King Herod (Johnathan) who is then stripped naked by a malfunctioning revolving platform. Three wise men (Dennis, Vannessa, Annie) then arrive at his palace. King Herod then gives the Wise Men Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. (Song - O’little town of bethlehem). Mary and Joseph try to find room at three inns (Innkeepers are all played by Dennis). Mary and Joseph now in the barn are visited by the Wisemen.
(Song - Silent Night) During silent night the fire alarm goes off, once the fire alarm is turned off the piano sets fire. The set falls over with the actors laying on top for a camera in the roof to see them. Mary gives birth. And the show finishes with a book cover falling on the cast.
Cornley Cast[]
- Narrator - Chris Bean
- Mary / Courtier - Sandra Wilkinson
- Joseph - Max Bennett
- Angel Gabriel - Robert Grove
- Shepherd / Wiseman / Innkeeper - Dennis Tyde
- Shepherd / Wiseman / Donkey - Vanessa Wilcock-Wynn-Carroway
- Shepherd / Wiseman / Donkey - Annie Twilloil
- King Herod - Jonathan Harris
- Himself / Guard - Trevor Watson
Songs[]
- Away in a manager - Played on piano by Chris
- Little Donkey - Played on piano by Chris - Sung by Sandra, Max, Annie, Vanessa
- O’little town of bethlehem (Includes Music from other songs) - Played on piano by Chris - Sung by All excluding Trevor
- Silent Night - Played on Piano by Chris - Sung by All excluding Trevor and Johnathan
Trivia[]
- The Nativity Goes Wrong is adapted from a stage play written by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer, which was staged at Reading Rep from December 2013 to January 2014. It was the second of Mischief's "Goes Wrong" productions, though unlike the The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong, it did not feature the Cornley Drama Society but rather the Christian Humanitarian Reading Initiative for Spiritual Theatre (or C.H.R.I.S.T. for short). Bryony Corrigan was the only member of the current Mischief Troupe to star in the original production.
- The TV version is the only production in which Max and Sandra are cast as a married couple.
- Vanessa, not known for her improv skills, manages to throw in a rare quip when they have nine wise men onstage, remarking that "It's like MENSA in here," though her ad-lib is not well-received.
- At one point, Dennis brings back the "GET OUT!" line from "The Lodge", which amuses Max and frustrates Chris.
Gallery[]
