How does the traditional nativity relate to the refugee crisis?
Never work with children or animals – that is one of the golden rules of the stage and screen, but the cast and crew of Alter:nativity are determined to prove the rule wrong.
More than 45 children and adults from the north-east will be joined by two donkeys for the production this weekend. They come from Stonehaven, Chapelton, Newtonhill, Portlethen and Aberdeen to bring audiences a heart-warming Christmas tale with a difference.
Joanna Randel, 48, is the director of Alter:nativity and owns KidzAct, a children’s and youth theatre based south of Aberdeen. She has around 120 people who attend sessions and perform site-specific productions, such as Peter Pan ad Twelfth Night, both produced within Dunnottar Woods.
Mel Shand, the writer, and Joanne put their heads together to join a large cast with the script and venue. Alter:nativity takes the traditional story of Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus escaping from Bethlehem to Egypt. It explores how it may feel to leave your home and arrive in a foreign land with few possessions, drawing similarities from today’s refugee crisis.
Joanna said: “From the outset, our audience members are made to think about this. At the point of booking, they are asked to complete a census asking the sort of questions Joseph would have to answer.
“As they arrive, they are processed – we don’t want to give too much away, but we want our audience to feel, even for just a moment, how it might feel to be a refugee.”
The traditional elements of the nativity are still retained, with Christmas carols, a children’s story and real donkeys. The combination of dance and traditional scenes creates a nativity which has something in it for everyone.
The children’s story is told by 15 primary school pupils, mainly from Newtonhill Primary.
The Mouse’s Tale is about a “wee moose” in Newtonhill who would like to meet baby Jesus. The cast members for the nativity range in ages from five to those in their 70s, including three generations of one family.
Joanne said: “The aim of our Alter:nativity is to bring our communities together. Often, this only happens when there’s a crisis, so it’s fabulous to do something so important simply because it’s Christmas and we can.
“We are bringing Christmas back to its true meaning. With any luck, our audience should leave with a sense of reflection on how lucky many of us are, despite us all experiencing our own troubling and hard times.”
The show is being hosted in the Dutch Barn at Nether Cairnhill, on the outskirts of Chapelton and will raise awareness and funds for two charities. The Elsick Development Company cleared the barn for the show and have put in straw bales to use as audience seating so everything is primed for the Christmas event.
“The charity Save the Children Syrian Crisis appeal was an obvious choice given the nature of the production, but the production team felt it was important to recognise those closer to home who are going through testing times,” said Joanne.
“Aberdeen is experiencing a jobs crisis because of the oil downturn and that equally shouldn’t go unnoticed, so we chose Northsound 1 Cash for Kids: Mission Christmas, too.”
She said: “Bring an open mind, an open heart, your hopes, dreams and fears for an unforgettable evening under the stars.”
Alter:nativity takes place on Saturday, December 17, and Sunday, December 18, at 6pm at the Dutch Barn at Nether Cairnhill, just off the A90 near Newtonhill. Tickets are £6, and are available online from www.buytickets.at\mindswideopen or in person from Teacake in Chapelton.