Track 9 - It's Showtime - Rehearsal track. Track 10 - Hurry, Hurry! - Rehearsal track. Track 11 - Bright New Star - Rehearsal track

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2 CD Track List: Track 1 - It's Showtime - Performance track Track 2 - Hurry, Hurry! - Performance track Track 3 - Bright New Star - Performance track Track 4 - Three Kings - Performance track Track 5 - Come With Us - Performance track Track 6 - Lullaby Baby - Performance track Track 7 - Have you seen a baby? Performance track Track 8 - Finale, It's Christmas! Performance track Track 9 - It's Showtime - Rehearsal track Track 10 - Hurry, Hurry! - Rehearsal track Track 11 - Bright New Star - Rehearsal track Track 12 - Three Kings - Rehearsal track Track 13- Come With Us - Rehearsal track Track 14 - Lullaby Baby - Rehearsal track Track 15 - Have you seen a baby? Rehearsal track Track 16 - Finale, It's Christmas! Rehearsal track This disc is copyright Cantate Music 2014 All rights reserved. Unauthorised distribution via any means is illegal.

3 2 Peaks Hill, Purley, Surrey CR8 3JE Babushka and the Three Kings About this show - notes for teachers/directors This show has been especially written for young voices and is suitable from Nursery ages upwards. It was first performed with a large group of around 50 children from ages 4 to 7 yrs, however, it could easily be performed with fewer numbers. Even Nursery aged children can be involved in this as one of our sons was only three when we wrote it and insisted we all sang along with the music when in the car! The songs are all short, catchy and written within a range easily mastered by young voices. Our very own Tamasine Kimber has provided the rehearsal track singing to assist those directors who need it! The music can easily be sung un-conducted but an encouraging face in front of the ensemble is always helpful. The parts as directed in the script are as follows: Babushka (One solo song) 3 X Kings Innkeeper (One optional solo line) 3x Kings' Pages Narrators (2+) Villagers (up to 18 lines) Additional non-speaking characters - Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds etc. Optional solo singing parts (Song 7- Have you seen a baby?) DESCRIPTION OF PARTS Babushka - This is a main part with one solo song (Hurry, Hurry) which could however be sung by a small chorus or even the whole ensemble. The character needs to act throughout the performance and has several lines. Three Kings - These need to be lively characters as their song is a kind of "Rap" song which would benefit from groovy dancing! Innkeeper - One solo line sung in the opening number and a few dialogue lines. Three Pages - These characters follow the Kings and have a few spoken lines

4 Narrators - There are several of these in the script but could easily be adapted to 2 or 3 cast members. Some lines could even be cut if numbers are short. Villagers - Again, the script allows for several of these but one cast member could take several lines if needed. Lines could be omitted here also if needed. Non-Speaking roles - A tableau of the traditional nativity scene can be created during "Lullaby Baby" which can include Shepherds, Angels, Mary & Joseph etc. This is a great way of using shy or very young cast members! STAGING We would assume all cast members to be "on stage" throughout this show and to sing all the songs. Babushka and the three Kings' action can take place in the middle of the group with the ensemble observing the activities for example. The show does not need large props, though do feel free to add your own. Costumes could be largely suggested (shawl for Babushka, crowns for Kings etc.) or full outfits could also be used depending on resources. SONGS The use of the included CD for backing tracks is to be encouraged as this is how the music was intended to be performed. A high quality music system is essential, preferably set up so the ensemble can hear the music clearly - generally having music speakers behind the cast or pointing towards them works well. Music scores are available and may be useful for teaching the songs or, when absolutely necessary, as the accompaniment for performances. The addition of a drum kit/percussion would be essential for this as some songs (Three Kings) would not work well without it. Some music teachers may still wish to play for performances and a suitable electric piano/keyboard would work well in addition to the tracks being played. The music scores/piano parts have been mostly taken directly from the piano parts used in the backing tracks and do not really carry the melody line. We would like to hope that with appropriate rehearsal, the singers should not need the melody played, however the inclusion of chord symbols should allow for the competent musician to create their own accompaniment part for rehearsals/performances. There are two versions of the music scores available. See website for details.

5 GUIDE NOTES ON THE PERFORMANCE There are a few direction pointers within the script but largely the setting of your production is up to you! Lighting need not be complicated and as there are few solo singing parts, microphones are not essential. One or two could be set up for Narrators or Villagers etc. but this may depend on size of venue and resources available. SONGS 1. It's Showtime - A lively Jazzy number to get things started. Various scenes could be set up during this as more cast enter or some simple dance moves added. The Innkeepers solo line could be sung by the ensemble with the character merely indicating their presence! 2. Hurry, Hurry. - A pastiche Russian dance, this has Babushka's only solo sung parts which could be sung by a small group as an alternative. The "Hurry, Hurry" parts should be sung by the ensemble in a loud "stage whisper". 3. Bright New Star - A pop ballad style song. Some kind of star prop, or even a "Star character" could be introduced at this time. Musically, watch out for the different held note at the end! 4. Three Kings - A fun "rap" style piece with an eastern flavour! The Kings should be encouraged to use their grooviest moves - with a Middle Eastern twist perhaps.. The ensemble needs to be split into two groups either side of the performance space for the "Three Kings" echo parts, and don't let them rush the hand claps! 5. Come with us - Another catchy swing number. Watch out for the stops which are slightly different each time. Choreography should be straight forward for this one. 6. Lullaby Baby - This is a sweet, musical box type song that can be sung much more gently than the others. Towards the end the music fades quieter so the singers can do this also. One option would be to use a smaller group for the last few lines. During this song a "Nativity Tableau" could be created (don't include Babushka!) which can be made up of Villagers/Narrators as well as the traditional Angels/Shepherds/ Mary & Joseph etc. if needed. 7. Have you seen a baby? - This lyrical song should have Babushka searching around the stage, interacting with various cast members as the ensemble sing the rather sad song. As one of the longer songs, there is opportunity here for a confident solo singer to sing one of the verses. 8. It's Christmas! - Basically a reprise of the opening song with new words and a festive feel! Actions work well with this number, especially at the end. Most of all....enjoy! Tamasine & Chris Kimber 2014

6 Babushka and the Three Kings a Russian Christmas Fairy-tale By Tamasine Kimber Music by Chris Kimber Narrator 1: Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to our show. Narrator 2: We hope you enjoy our story, but first, please make sure you turn off your phones! SONG: SHOWTIME! (Track 1) FULL: Welcome to our story We have a special tale to tell Of a lady called Babushka And some wise old men as well, It s showtime, it s showtime It s showtime it s showtime Innkeeper: Please come with us on our journey We have many things to see Along the way we ll meet lots of friends And an Innkeeper played by me! (optional solo) It s showtime, it s showtime It s showtime it s showtime The play starts at Babushka's house In a land far, far away The country is called Russia So let s see what she has to say It s showtime, it s showtime It s showtime it s showtime Narrator 3: Are you sitting comfortably? Well, now we'll begin! Narrator 4: Once upon a time in a far away country called Russia, lived a little old lady called Babushka. (Babushka is centre stage sweeping the floor) Narrator 5: Babushka was very house proud. She liked everything to be in the right place and look neat and tidy.

7 Babushka: Oh dear, my work is never done. There is so much to do. I have to keep my house so clean and tidy. You never know who is going to come knocking at the door. SONG: HURRY HURRY! (Track 2) Babushka: All: Babushka: I ve got the dishes to clean I ve got the beds to make I ve got the floors to polish I ve got yummy cakes to bake Hurry, hurry, hurry There is so much to do Hurry, hurry, hurry Another day is through Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry (in a loud whisper) Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry. I ve got the windows to wash I ve got the washing to do I ve got to sweep up the crumbs Make the house look brand new I never have enough time My work is never done Why can t I be like others They all seem to have such fun! Babushka: Hurry, hurry, hurry Chorus : Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry There is so much to do Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry Hurry, hurry, hurry Another day is through. Narrator 6: Poor Babushka, she just didn t know how to have fun. Narrator 7: One day the village was getting very excited. Villager 1: (pointing to the sky) What is that? Villager 2: What? I don t see anything! Villager 1: That big new star in the sky. Villager 2: Oh my goodness, it s so bright. How did I miss it? Villager 3: I wonder what it can mean? Villager 4: Maybe it s a sign that something exciting has happened! Villager 5: Don t be silly, stars don t mean anything. They are just pretty lights in the sky.