A local amateur dramatic group’s ill-fated attempts to stage a nativity play will be the story behind Richmond Operatic Society’s latest performance next month.
The Nativity Saga will be staged at the Georgian Theatre from November 14 to 17.
The play has been written by society chairman John Holliday.
He said: “The show has been inspired by ideas such as The Play That Goes Wrong and tells the story of a local amateur groups attempts to put on The Nativity Story.
“Unfortunately in their attempts they encounter the problems that every amateur group faces – inconsistent cast members, ropey scenery, haphazard costumes, relationship issues with the cast members and wrapped around a bunch of musical theatre divas.”
John said the main reason for writing an original production was to give the society a chance to put on a full scale production without the large costs that the organisations that hold the rights to shows charge.
He said he also wanted to test the group, adding: “Can we take on a full scale comical production using big show numbers and adapt them to the Georgian Theatre stage?
“Rehearsals have been great fun for the society and we hope the audience will react in the same way as we have.
“It has been great fun drawing on 28 years worth of experience of putting on shows to put together a script which tries to mirror what every amateur group goes through.”
John stressed that all characters were completely original and were in no way reflections of anyone he had encountered in his amateur theatre journey.
“A lot of the situations might be compared someway or other however though,” he added.
The show will feature a selection of well known hits from The Proclaimers through to O Holy Night, from Natalie Imbruglia to The Pogues.
There will also be Christmas number ones, rewritten classics and finishing with a well known Greatest Showman hit.
Tickets can be booked by calling the box office on 01748 825252 or by visiting www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk
