Teach Primary Issue 19.6

Ask any teacher what the end of the autumn term feels like, and the words “exhausted” and “stretched” tend to come up a lot. Throw in a school nativity and you’re in full-on survival mode. That’s why Groovin’ – The Nativity from Out of the Ark feels like such a win. It’s a real lifesaver. Written for KS2 and bursting with energy, this is a Christmas show that hits the sweet spot between fun and manageable. It’s full of humour (honestly, some of the lines made me laugh out loud), the songs are a pleasure to sing, and most importantly, it’s genuinely easy to pull off. Even if you’re short on time and feeling the end-of-term fatigue, it just works. One of the things I really appreciate about all of Out of the Ark’s productions (and this one is no different) is just how teacher- friendly everything is. The website is very easy to navigate, and once you’ve picked your show, you’ve got everything you need. There’s a flexible script with clear casting options, including suggested numbers for each part (which is brilliant for a variety of cohort sizes, and works for casts with numbers from as low as 21 to as high as 58), a prop list, and simple costume ideas that feel achievable and cost-effective. This means happy parents, and no 2am sewing sessions required! The characters are written with real care, too. There’s a great mix of lines and roles so all children can be involved in a way that suits them, and the script is filled with personality. Gabriel is gloriously sassy, the narrators have fantastic one-liners, and Darrell the Disco Donkey might just be my favourite nativity character ever. Then there are the songs: catchy, joyful, and incredibly easy to teach. They’re inspired by the groove-worthy tunes of the 1970s and 80s, and are pitched just right for KS2; they’ll definitely get stuck in your head, and are a massive hit with children and adults alike. The pack also includes clear stage directions and optional choreography links, which makes everything feel structured but still flexible. The editable script is a nice bonus as well; it’s simple to tweak if you want to personalise it for your school, or add in the names of children playing the characters. You get an editable script with any package that includes an eSongbook. All in all, Groovin’ – The Nativity delivers exactly what busy teachers need at this time of year. It’s stress-free to put together, filled with festive spirit from start to finish, and gives your students a real moment to shine. Like all of Out of the Ark’s Christmas shows, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a genuine pleasure to put on. An upbeat, feel-good Christmas musical for 7-11s that takes the pressure off teachers and brings the fun back to festive performances AT A GLANCE MUS I C Flexible script with casting suggestions and adaptable group sizes Brilliant songs that are catchy, easy to learn, and joyful to sing Comes with prop and costume ideas that won’t break the bank Packed with age-appropriate humour and standout characters Part of Out of the Ark’s trusted collection of Christmas productions outoftheark.com 020 8481 7200 orders@outoftheark.com Fun, flexible, and easy to stage Characters and songs that kids love Packed with personality and humour Helpful extras that save time and energy A go-to option for KS2 Christmas shows You’re looking to save time, cut the stress, and put on a brilliant Christmas show that children enjoy performing and families love watching. VERD I CT UPGRADE I F . . . REVIEWED BY: EMMA THOMPSON Out of the Ark: Groovin’ –The Nativity “Even if you’re short on time, and feeling the end-of-term fatigue, it works” www.teachwire.net | 107 RE V I EWS