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Welcome to the

Co-operative Theatre

home of the

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No Smoking in the Theatre

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Director’s Cut A view from directors Christine Rye

and Heather Evans

Christmas is coming, and so it is time for carols and mince pies at the Wheatsheaf. This year we have an extravaganza planned for you – as Joe Lawless has written the evening’s entertainment for us! We have carols, baubles, the Christmas fairy and a nativity. We have snow and ice-skaters, jokes and songs. Everything for a very merry time! This production is such a lot of fun. Just looking at the set with the Christmas wreaths and tree makes you feel all warm inside (and that was without the mulled wine!). It is great to have the Crew involved – and they put in such a lot of hard work, so a big thanks to all of them. It is good to have both Joe L and Jonny Barnett on stage again – they will bring a smile to every face - and a huge thanks to Rachel for coming along to sing for us. Finally a thank you to the children of class 4B from the Wheatsheaf Primary School. If they can behave long enough to get through the nativity it will be a relief to all! Merry Christmas and God Bless Us – every one!

Chrissy & Heather

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Christmas Songs

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay;

Remember Christ, our Saviour, Was born on Christmas day,

To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy,

comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our Heavenly Father, A blessed Angel came;

And unto certain Shepherds Brought tidings of the same:

How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by Name.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas

All other doth deface. O tidings of comfort and joy,

comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

Good King Wenceslas Good King Wenceslas looked out

on the feast of Stephen, when the snow lay round about,

deep and crisp and even. Brightly shown the moon that night,

though the frost was cruel, when a poor man came in sight,

gathering winter fuel.

Hither, page, and stand by me.

If thou know it telling: yonder peasant, who is he?

Where and what his dwelling? Sire, he lives a good league hence,

underneath the mountain, right against the forest fence

by Saint Agnes fountain.

In his master's step he trod, where the snow lay dented.

Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.

Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing,

ye who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing

Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly

Deck the halls with boughs of holly Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la 'Tis the season to be jolly Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Don we now our gay apparel Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.

Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

See the blazing Yule before us. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Strike the harp and join the chorus. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Follow me in merry measure. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

While I tell of Yule-tide treasure. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Fast away the old year passes. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Hail the new year, lads and lasses Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Sing we joyous, all together.

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la heedless of the wind and weather.

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

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Christmas Songs

Ding Dong Merrily on High Ding dong! merrily on high,

In heav'n the bells are ringing: Ding dong! verily the sky Is riv'n with angel singing.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

E'en so here below, below, Let steeple bells be swungen,

And "Io, io, io!" By priest and people sungen.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you, dutifully prime Your matin chime, ye ringers;

May you beautifully rime Your evetime song, ye singers.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

The Twelve Days Of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me:

A partridge in a pear tree.

Second: Two turtle doves Third: Three French Hens, Fourth: Four calling birds, Fifth: Five golden rings,

Sixth: Six geese a laying, Seventh: Seven swans a swimming,

Eighth: Eight maids a milking, Ninth: Nine ladies dancing, Tenth: Ten lords a leaping,

Eleventh: Eleven pipers piping,

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:

Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a leaping, Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a milking,

Seven swans a swimming, Six geese a laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds,

Three French Hens, Two turtle doves

And a Partridge in a pear tree.

Winter Wonderland Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,

in the lane, snow is glistening A beautiful sight,

we're happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird, here to stay is a new bird

He sings a love song, as we go along,

walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,

Then pretend that he is Parson Brown He'll say: Are you married?

we'll say: No man, But you can do the job when you're in

town.

Later on, we'll conspire, as we dream by the fire

To face unafraid, the plans that we've made,

walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snow-man,

and pretend that he's a circus clown We'll have lots of fun with mister

snowman, until the other kids knock him down.

When it snows, ain't it thrilling, Though your nose gets a chilling

We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way, walking in a winter wonderland.

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Crackers About Christmas

By Joe Lawless

Directed by Christine Rye

And Heather Evans

Act 1

A selection of Christmas Sketches and songs to get you in the

Christmas Spirit

Interval

Act 2

Christmas Baubles Nativity Play

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Cast

The Wheatsheaf Crew Anthony Wilkes, Ryan Randall, Ethan Flynn, Thomas Wensley, Pfion Vince, Keeley Clancy, Thomas Green, Robert Haskins, Nadine King, Jasmine Kumar, Sophie Lapworth, Scarlet McClean, Lewis O’Hara, Anthony Roach, Lauren Robinson, Amy Tims

Soprano Rachel Mohammed

The Wheatsheaf Players Joe Lawless, Heather Evans, Jennie Jones, Jon-ny Barnett, Anne Collins, Jo Russell, Ruth Carver-Smith

Crew

Lighting & Sound Design Stephen Hocking

Sound Operation Stephen Hocking

Lighting Operation Richard Taylor

Stage Manager Christine Rye

Deputy Stage Manager Lewis Sykes

Set Design Joe Lawless

Set Construction Wheatsheaf Wednesday Wheatsheaf Crew

Graphic Design Heather Evans Chris Evans

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Christmas Songs

The Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe

Help to make the season bright Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa's on his way He's loaded lots of toys

and goodies on his sleigh And every mother's child is gonna spy

To see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase To kids from one to ninety-two

Although it's been said many times, many ways Merry Christmas to you.

Frosty The Snowman Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy

soul, With a corncob pipe and a button nose

and two eyes made out of coal. Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale,

they say, He was made of snow but the children

know how he came to life one day. There must have been some magic in that

old silk hat they found. For when they placed it on his head

he began to dance around. O, Frosty the snowman

was alive as he could be, And the children say he could laugh

and play just the same as you and me. Thumpetty thump thump, thumpety

thump thump, Look at Frosty go.

Thumpetty thump thump,thumpety thump thump,

Over the hills of snow.

Frosty the snowman knew the sun was hot that day,

So he said, "Let's run and we'll have some fun

now before I melt away." Down to the village, with a broomstick

in his hand, Running here and there all around the

square saying,Catch me if you can.

He led them down the streets of town right to the traffic cop.

And he only paused a moment when he heard him holler "Stop!"

For Frosty the snow man had to hurry on his way,

But he waved goodbye saying, "Don't you cry,

I'll be back again some day." Thumpetty thump thump etc

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer Had a very shiny nose And if you ever saw it

You would even say it glows All of the other reindeer

Used to laugh and call him names They never let poor Rudolph Play in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve

Santa came to say Rudolph with your nose so bright

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight? Then all the reindeer loved him And they shouted out with glee

"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer You'll go down in history!"

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Christmas Songs

Hark the Herald Angels Sing Hark the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled"

Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored

Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin's womb

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity

Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel

Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings

Ris'n with healing in His wings Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"

We three kings of Orient are We three kings of Orient are Bearing gifts we traverse afar

Field and fountain, moor and mountain Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain Gold I bring to crown Him again

King forever, ceasing never Over us all to rein O Star of wonder...

Glorious now behold Him arise King and God and Sacrifice

Alleluia, Alleluia Earth to heav'n replies

O Star of wonder...

Away in a Manger Away in a manger, No crib for His bed

The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head The stars in the bright sky

Looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing The poor Baby wakes But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus Look down from the sky

And stay by my side, 'Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,

I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care

And take us to heaven To live with Thee there

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Charity Raffle

It is traditional for us to donate our Christmas Production raffle takings to charity, and this year is no different.

Each night’s raffle will be going to a different charity.

Wednesday: Breast Cancer UK

Thursday: Acorns Children's Hospice

Friday: Warwickshire Air ambulance

Saturday: Mercia MS Therapy Centre

Christmas Songs The First Noel

The First Noel, the Angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the East beyond them far And to the earth it gave great light And so it continued both day and night. Noel...

Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made Heaven and earth of nought And with his blood mankind has bought. Noel...

Silent Night Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Saviour is born Christ, the Saviour is born Silent night, holy night Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

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Coming Soon...

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