Santa’s On Strike

Sample Songs

Listen below to the songs from Santa’s On Strike.

Plot Summary

It’s Christmas Eve at the North Pole, and frantic preparations are under way to get Santa ready for his annual ‘evening out’ (song – ‘Ready For Christmas Day’). However, all is not as it should be. We hear from the elves, Eric, Elsie, Edgar, Edna, Esmée and Elmer, that Santa has gone on strike! Mrs Santa thinks this may be a passing problem due to his age, but Santa claims he has good reason for refusing to deliver presents to the children of the world. He has been watching repeats of ‘Supernanny’ on TV and can’t believe the behaviour he has witnessed (song – ‘Santa’s On Strike’). He thinks children no longer deserve a visit from him on Christmas Eve, and he won’t be convinced otherwise.

Desperate to save Christmas, the Elves, Mrs Santa and Rudolf plead with him to change his mind, but Santa digs his heels in! Then the elves hit on a plan which might convince him that children are not like those he’s seen on TV, but that they can be really kind and giving, caring and sharing. Using the World-Wide-View-Satellite-Plasma-Screen-and-handset they tune in to the Wiseman family who are preparing for Christmas. They, and the audience, witness the comically frantic time families can have leading up to the big day, and see the children more than doing their bit to ease the pressure. (song – ‘Pitching In, Helping Out’)
Next we tune into the Shepherd family. Despite being settled into a Christmas Eve game of cards (which Dad is a little too eager to win!) the children are keen to make sure all the animals – pets, birds and even Santa’s reindeer – are comfortable, catered-for and well looked-after. (song – ‘Puppies Are Not Just For Christmas’)

The Elves then show Santa the King family. We see how the children are happy to sacrifice a cosy Christmas Eve watching DVDs in order to join others, outside in the cold, carol singing to raise money for the old folks’ home. They also enjoy dragging their protesting parents outside for a sing-along too! (song – ‘Lots of Fa-la-la’)

In a short optional scene Santa is shown that children haven’t forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. We tune in to a nativity tableau, where, dressed as the traditional characters, a group of children perform a traditional Christmas song (‘Silent Night’)

If all this hasn’t yet softened Santa’s heart, then the final visit to the Starr family is bound to make him see that children can embrace the true spirit of Christmas. The Starr children feel sorry for their old neighbour, Mr Lewis, and take him round some Christmas cake (and a bottle of Dad’s wine!), with the intention of keeping him company for a short while. Moved by his loneliness they go the whole hog and invite him to their house for Christmas! (song – ‘Give A Little Time’)

Quite predictably this does the trick, and as Santa sobs into his beard he instructs the elves to load up the sleigh. In a rousing finale he admits that children are still worthy of a wonderful Christmas, and he will do his utmost to see they get it! (song – ‘Blast Off!)

Characters

32 Speaking parts in order of appearance
*Click on the Line count/Costumes tab for more details

Santa’s loyal Elf helpers:
Eric
Elsie
Edgar
Edna
Esmée
Elmer

Mrs Santa – the patient and long-suffering wife of………
Santa – not so much ‘Ho! Ho! Ho!’ as ‘No! No! No!’
Rudolf – desperate for a Christmas Eve gallop.

The Wiseman Family; Dan, Sally, Grandma, Grandpa, Mum, Dad – so much to do, so little time!
The Shepherd Family; Hannah, Jack, Mum, Dad – dedicated to their pets!
The King Family; Tim, Katie, Miss Evans, Sam, Mum, Dad – up for a sing song
The Starr Family; Abi, Rob, Grandma, Grandpa, Mum, Dad, Mr Lewis – eager to start dinner

Note about ‘family’ characters
• Names of children can be changed to those of the actors playing them.
• For a smaller cast, with slight changes to the script the same family can be depicted in all four scenes.
• If you want to portray less traditional family set ups, the script can again be adapted to allow for this. Characters can easily be added or omitted to suit your requirements.

Ensemble Characters, if you have the numbers, for featured songs and choreography
Extra Elves and Reindeer
Domestic ‘Jobbers’
Animal Lovers
Carol Singers
Nativity Characters – for optional scene 5.

What do you get?

This musical production is available for 2 different age groups – KS1 (4-7yrs) and KS2 (7-11 yrs). You will see from reading the script samples that the KS1 version is shorter and with less-complex vocabulary than the KS2 version.

It is also available to buy for in 3 different formats. When ordering, simply choose the option (details below) which best suits your requirements.

• Option 1 – Book & Audio CD. A wire-bound book containing the full script with detailed stage directions, character information, tips and suggestions for costumes, props and scenery, and a piano score for all songs. An audio CD of all songs (backing tracks & vocal tracks) plus continuity/incidental music and sound effects where required.
• Option 2 – CD-ROM & Audio CD. A CD-ROM containing both a PDF and an editable MS Word document of the full script, with detailed stage directions, character information, tips and suggestions for costumes, props and scenery, and a PDF of the piano score for all songs. An audio CD of all songs (backing tracks & vocal tracks) plus continuity/incidental music and sound effects where required..
• Option 3 – Digital download. All the PDF and MS Word files from Option 2 above, all audio tracks as MP3 files, plus JPEG files of cover artwork for use in making posters or other promotional material. Upon completion of your order, a link will be automatically sent to the email address you provided, from which all the files can be downloaded.

Any order containing a digital download option must be paid for online at the point of ordering. Any order containing a digital download which is not accompanied by payment will not be processed.

UK schools can order Book & Audio CD and CD-ROM & Audio CD options with an invoice to be paid within 30 days. Non-UK schools and private individuals (not ordering on behalf of a school) are required to pay for these at the point of ordering.