HADDENHAM NATIVTY II - TV and Song writer and wife, writer of books, does it again.

Two years ago Leslie Stewart (writer for "Monach of the Glen") and his wife Dr Sarah Burton ( writer of books) wrote, directed and produced a village Nativity with a difference in 2001. Two years on, with a 4,500 grant from the lottery for the lighting and sound, are on a misson again. With the 3 local ministers as the three Wise persons (one of which is a lady) and a cast of thousands, including a candle lit procession thru the village to start it off every night. Haddenham Nativity II is not to be missed.

The Haddenham Nativity Play...

...first performed in 2001, is being mounted once again. The biggest production of its kind in East Anglia, its cast of 100 will be performing 'the greatest story ever told at 8pm on 11th, 12th and 13th December at Holy Trinity Church, Haddenham, following a candlelit procession through the village led by Mary, Joseph and their donkey.

Local author Sarah Burton has written the script especially for Haddenham, while local playwright Leslie Stewart is directing. Christmas is a particularly special time for Leslie as he wrote Cliff Richards hit Christmas single 'Mistletoe and Wine. He has also written this years Christmas edition of 'Holby City. 'The Nativity was a wonderful occasion in 2001, says Leslie, 'and we hope to recapture the magic this time. Lots of the people involved had never acted or sung in public before and they turned in some fantastic performances.

As in 2001 a grant from Awards for All has provided professional lighting and sound, while the church has been transformed by a specially designed set which incorporates many of the buildings features. Highlights of the original production were the special effects, including the illumination of the superb stained glass windows from the outside, while the entire cast and choir sang the 'Hallelujah Chorus. This will form the climax of the production again this year, although there are a number of new scenes and music, including a soul-singing Angel Gabriel.

The Haddenham Nativity is unusual in incorporating a number of early legends which dont appear in the Bible; the audience sees the miracle that led to Joseph being chosen as Marys husband, for example, and meets the midwife who delivers baby Jesus. The shadow of the Romans occupation, also unusually, falls over the whole show, reminding us of the historical circumstances of the story.

In 2001 the cast were invited to write down their impressions of the production and its effect on the community. Other extracts below are from the many non-solicited letters and cards received after the performances...

'A wonderful village community feeling and an opportunity to meet people who one would not normally meet. The final production was totally moving and seemed very professional, due to oustanding lighting effects and sound system. (Hazel Hull -- 'Gossip)

'Taking a bunch of rank amateurs and turning them into a cast able to put on a creditable set of performances was no mean feat. Doing it in a way that made it fun is a lesson that other amateur producers could do well to imitate. The lottery funding which enabled engagement of more professional technical support was money well spent in adding a lot of extra 'shine to the performances. (Ann Biggs -- Choir/Crowd)

'This was a true community play, it drew people together young and old, experienced and non-experienced. I have taken part in a few local amateur productions, but have never experienced anything like this, it was a production to end all productions, the atmosphere was wonderful and the actors attained heights only seen in West End productions. This was due greatly to the production team who worked tirelessly in getting the best out of everyone, the lighting, staging and sound was incredible. Two months on the production is still spoken of at the school, the recreation field, the local pub and other places with awe. This was money well spent. (Miranda Pratt -- 'Gossip)

'We had a wonderful time being involved with the Nativity. The concept was exciting and the realisation innovative. We both felt an incredible sense of community throughout. We have met many new people and made friends as a result. We also have a sense of pride of achievement, not from our own efforts, but from having been part of the whole. Everyone we have spoken to has been full of praise. The comments range from the general 'amazing, wonderful, excellent to the particular 'the lighting was stupendous, 'the special effects were great, 'really enjoyed all of it but especially loved the singing. (Rick and Wendy Rolph -- 'Shepherd and 'Midwife)

'So many positive things that we will remember for a long time, the excellent script, the direction that gave us the confidence to perform, the experience of working with professional sound and lighting and of course all the other people involved, some of them up until the Nativity play just faces in the pub and street now good friends. Quote from my sister: 'It made me laugh, it made me cry and Im so glad I came to see this, it was really rather special. (Christine and David Cook -- 'Gossip and 'Shepherd)

'As an 'outsider from the community, I have many times commented upon the community spirit which exists within the village. I thought the production deepened that, getting people who wouldnt normally work together happily sharing in a common end. (Rev. Cedric Parsons -- 'Balthazar)

As Leslie and Sarah had hoped at the outset, the spiritual dimension to the drama appealed to people of all -- or no -- beliefs. The ministers of the three village churches (Methodist, Baptist and C of E) co-operated by playing the three magi (or kings) but many of those who took part had no connection with the churches.

'I was delighted that the local school was involved with the three churches and that the three ministers took such an active role. The Christmas story is of significance even to non-believers. I was fortunate to walk up the dark High Street with Mary and Joseph and the donkey: a most moving experience: a lasting memory for me in years to come. The commercialism of Christmas was completely missing and the true meaning of that season was well executed. (Lorna Delanoy MBE -- Audience)

'The lights and simplicity of the set created just the right armosphere for a wonderful, realistic production. The illumination of the Stained Glass provided an ending never to be forgotten. The lighting effects of the angels over the shepherds created a wonderful, almost 'magic effect. The children walking round the village with Mary and Joseph was an experience this village will never forget! We feel privileged to have been part of this. (Keith and Sheila West -- Choir/Crowd)

'The whole production was truly a collaborative effort as far as the village was concerned, bringing together pupils from the school, the headteacher, the ministers from the three churches, folk from the local amateur dramatic scene, the village choir, and a whole host of 'ancilliary helpers. As far as I am aware, this was the first time that Haddenham has mounted such a collaborative venture, and it was both exciting and very enjoyable for me to be part of this rather non-traditional approach which showed a realistic appreciation of the events leading up to Jesus birth. It was a very refreshing portrayal and will leave a lasting impression on many who saw the production. (Peter Niskin -- Guitarist)

For those adults who had never performed in public before, the Nativity provided an opportunity for them to explore their capabilities and surprise themselves with the performances they were able to produce. Two of the principal characters were played by two such novices. Having had their arms twisted in the first place to participate, their responses demonstrate how much they grew in confidence.

Where do I start? Thank you for conning me into it. I enjoyed being in 'The Haddenham Nativity so much I am anxious to be in the next one. It brought together so many people from Haddenham of all classes. I have made so many new friends from being involved in the play -- it was wonderful. The way we (the Romans) built the set was a feat of engineering brilliance, and when the time came to dismantle it so many other people turned out to help it just shows how affected by the play we all were. (Mike Butterly -- 'Marcus)

One little girl came up afterwards and asked me if I had really missed the end [Artabans character -- the storyteller -- falls asleep in the play and misses the end of his own story]. That really brought it home to me that I had acted well enough, that the children really believed in the play. A colleague from work said she was so engrossed in the picture we had painted of the Nativity tableau with all the children coming up with candles to see the baby, that when Miranda ran down the aisle and shouted 'The Romans are coming! she nearly wet herself. She could not stop talking about it the next day at work. An old lady stopped me as I walked down the aisle after the bows on the last night and said she did not want it to end, she thought it was fabulous, and even as she was telling me she said she was reliving the scenes in her head again and again. 'How could such a small village put on such a professional production? were her next words. She asked me what productions I had been in before. 'Wednesday and Thursday! I said. I have never been involved in anything like it. I feel a different person. Really really proud, of all of us. (Ian Ashmeade -- 'Artaban)

Tickets for the play are available only from Haddenham Spar and Haddenham Post Office. Adults 4, children 2 Thursday and Friday; all tickets 5 Saturday. Performances start at 8pm; Joseph, Mary and the donkey set off from The Cherry Tree pub at 7.30pm.

Leslie Stewart and Sarah Burton are available for interview. Please contact them direct on 01353 740860 or 07769 677060 (Leslie) or 07941 004369 (Sarah).

(Artaban)