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Stable Boy

By Daisy Bond & Ian Faraday
Ages: 4-9yrs

Running Time

45 Mins Approx

Speaking Parts

27

Cast Size
(Including Non-Speaking)

52

Cast Size
Easily Reduced To

20

Suggestions for how to easily reduce and increase the cast size to suit your numbers are included in the "content samples" for this musical.

No. Of Songs

8

James dreams of a glamorous life as a fisherman on the great Sea of Galilee, but in reality his days are spent tending to the assorted livestock in the stable behind a small inn in Bethlehem. The arrival of lots of visitors (and donkeys) to the town one day, means that poor James has to work even harder, with no thanks from the grumpy innkeeper and his wife! However, as the events of that special night unfold, James realises that the future is brighter than he’d thought, and that dreams can indeed come true!

*FREE Word doc. of the script to edit yourself*

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Overview

Plot Summary

In the opening song (All Work, No Play), we meet James, who longs to escape his dull life tending to the animals in the stable behind an inn. The innkeeper, his wife and the maid only add to James’s woes, criticising his work and calling him a ‘lazy good-for-nothing’! Though fed-up with their harsh words, James finds comfort in his dream of one day becoming a fisherman, like those who visit the inn after a long but thrilling day aboard their boats on the Sea of Galilee. (song – A Fisherman’s Life)

One morning James is told by the excited innkeeper that he needs to double his efforts around the stable, as Bethlehem is full of visitors all looking for a place to stay and to rest their donkeys after their long journeys. (song – Knock! Knock! Knock!) James has to forget his day-dreaming for a while, and concentrate on seeing to all the four-legged arrivals! (song – Donkey Work)

As James sleeps soundly, exhausted from his busiest day ever, the stable animals notice that the night sky seems far brighter than usual. They realise that, as the stars dance, it must be a sign that something wonderful is about to happen. (song – Song Of The Stars) As the largest star settles overhead, the innkeeper ushers in a woman (who is soon to have a baby) and a man. He explains that he can only offer them the stable, as the inn is full. He roughly wakes up James, telling him to tend to the couple’s donkey. The woman and man speak kindly to James, and he knows they must be very special people indeed. As a host of angels watches over the scene, James takes the donkey and leaves the couple to have their baby in peace.
(song – Jesus Is Born)

And the visitors just keep coming! First, some shepherds arrive with a lamb, much to the annoyance of the maid, who instructs James to stop the animal chewing her washing! Next come three royal visitors on camels (to which James must tend), with gifts for the baby. Soon the stable is full to bursting, as everyone gathers round the manger on which the baby is laid, and gives thanks for his birth (song – Kneel At The Manger). When James is invited by the woman to come closer and see the baby, he is filled with a feeling of hope, believing his life can change for the better and that great things lie ahead for him.

We learn, as a postscript from the narrators, that James’s dreams of becoming a fisherman do indeed come true. One day he is greeted from his fishing boat by a gentle young man, whose eyes James recognises as those of the baby he met in the stable many years before. The man invites James to join Him, leading him on the biggest adventure of his life! (song – Dreams Can Come True)

Listen below to the songs from ‘Stable Boy’
"All Work No Play"
" A Fisherman's Life"
"Knock Knock Knock"
"Donkey Work"
"Song Of The Stars"
"Jesus Is Born"
"Kneel At The Manger"
"Dreams Can Come True"

Characters

27 speaking/singing parts in order of appearance
*Click on the Content Samples tab & download the Character Info file for more details

(This number can be reduced or increased to suit your cast size – suggestions as to how are included in the script notes)

4 Narrators
Innkeeper
Innkeeper’s Wife
Maid
James – small singing solo
4 Fisherman – small singing solos
4 Visitors
A Horse
A Cow
A Sheep
A Goat
2 Chickens
Joseph – small singing duet
Mary – small singing duet
3 Wise Men – small singing solos

Ensemble characters for featured songs and choreography
Fishermen
Visitors
Donkeys
Stars
Angels
Shepherds
3 Camels

What do you get?

This musical production is available to buy in 2 different formats.

Option 1 – Physical Product – Posted

This option can be paid for online, or schools* can request to have goods sent with an invoice to be paid within 30 days.
* Non-UK schools and private individuals (not ordering on behalf of a UK school) must pay online.

A wire-bound book with:
Full script
Detailed stage directions
Character information
Tips for costumes, props and scenery
Piano score for all songs
Licensing information

An Audio CD with:
Vocal demo tracks to all songs
Backing tracks to all songs
Continuity/incidental music
Sound effects

Option 2 – Digital Download

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.

Both PDF and editable MS Word documents of:
Full script
Detailed stage directions
Character information
Tips for costumes, props and scenery
Piano score for all songs
Licensing information

MP3 files of:
Vocal demo tracks to all songs
Backing tracks to all songs
Continuity/incidental music
Sound effects

Extras included:
JPEG files of cover artwork for making posters or other promo 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.

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5 out of 5 stars

4 reviews

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What others are saying

  1. info@edgyproductions.com

    A Wickfield, Bucks

    info@edgyproductions.com

    A delightful little Nativity, the children loved it. Thank you very much for making my Christmas production a pleasure rather than a chore!

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  2. info@edgyproductions.com

    P Dawcey, Surrey

    info@edgyproductions.com

    A delightful story which the children enjoyed performing. Thank you.

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  3. info@edgyproductions.com

    Anne Whitmore, Headteacher, Devon

    info@edgyproductions.com

    A lovely play, the children coped brilliantly and thoroughly enjoyed singing & performing to their parents – we’ll be looking out for your next new Christmas show!

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  4. info@edgyproductions.com

    Ola, St George's RC Primary, York

    info@edgyproductions.com

    Simply brilliant! Just watched my Little One (aka Talking Goat) and his classmates performing Stable Boy! Must admit had tears in my eyes not once. And what a clever ending with James meeting adult Jesus!

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