Welcome Welcome to the Co-operative Theatre for our Christmas Show We hope you enjoy the performance. If you wish to be kept up to date with happenings at the Wheatsheaf then please speak to a member of staff and ask to be put on our mailing list. For the safety and enjoyment of yourself and others while you are in the theatre, we kindly ask that you abide by a few simple rules.
Wheatsheaf Players Committee Secretary
Mike Hooper
Treasurer
Georgia Darlison
Artistic Director Technical Director Front Of House Manager Publicity Manager Member Relations Manager Bar Manager
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Heather Evans Stephen Hocking Christine Rye Joanne Russell Ruth Carver-Smith Chris Evans
Wassailing with the Wheatsheaf
Director’s Cut A view from director Heather Evans Christmas comes once again to the Wheatsheaf, and what a show we have for you this time! You just can’t beat a bit of wassailing - and we shall be wassailing our socks off with a huge collection of songs, carols, poems and sketches to keep you entertained. Although I get the pleasure of writing the director’s cut, it is actually Ruth who has done a huge amount of work towards this show. This time last year she got to be a snowman in ‘Crackers About Christmas’ and now we just can’t hold her back! Thanks Ruth for all you have done! Thanks also to everyone who has helped out with the show, and indeed all of our shows this year. It has been a successful year for the Wheatsheaf and we couldn’t have done it without them or you, our audience. Thank you all for supporting us. We hope you have had as much fun as we have. Now, it is Christmas, and there are carols so there is really no excuse for not joining in with a bit of a sing-song tonight - we have even provided the words for those of you who remembered their glasses! So I hope you are all in good voice as we will be calling on you later. We hope that this season finds you all in good health and good cheer, and would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Heather
Wassailing with the Wheatsheaf
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Carols O Come All ye Faithful
While Shepherds Watched
O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him Born the King of angels;
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around.
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God, Glory in the highest; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory given; Son of the Father, Now in flesh appearing;
"Fear not," said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind, "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind." "To you, in David's town this day, Is born of David's line The Savior who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign: The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid." Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God and thus Addressed their joyful song: "All glory be to God on high And on the earth be peace, Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men Begin and never cease."
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.
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Wassailing with the Wheatsheaf
Carols Hark the Herald Hark! the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!" Joyful, all ye nations rise; Join the triumph of the skies; With angelic host proclaim "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!" Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one. Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
Ding Dong Merrily on High Ding dong merrily on high, In heav'n the bells are ringing: Ding dong! verily the sky Is riv'n with angel singing. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! E'en so here below, below, Let steeple bells be swungen, And "Io, io, io!" By priest and people sungen. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! Pray you, dutifully prime Your matin chime, ye ringers; May you beautifully rime Your evetime song, ye singers. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail! the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
Wassailing with the Wheatsheaf
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Programme
Wassailing with the Wheatsheaf An Evening of Carols, sketches, poems and songs There will be one interval of 20 minutes
Please join in with the carols!
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Wassailing with the Wheatsheaf
Programme Cast The Wheatsheaf Players are
Ruth Carver-Smith, Heather Evans, Christine Rye, Adrian Laing, Dai Rees, Dean Stevens-Mullis, Anne Collins, Jo Russell, Nev Russell, Roni Tillman Sophie Lapworth, Pfion Vince, Harley Stephenson, Tom Green, Jess Sage, Keeley Clancy
The Wheatsheaf Crew are
Crew Stage Manager Lighting Design Lighting and Sound Operation Graphic Design
Ethan Flynn Stephen Hocking Stephen Hocking Chris Evans Heather Evans
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Carols The First Noel The first Noel the angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay, In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep. Noel Noel Noel Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, That hath made heaven and earth of naught And with His blood mankind hath bought. Noel etc
We Three Kings
They looked up and saw a star Shining in the East beyond them far, And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night. Noel etc
We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
And by the light of that same star Three wise men came from country far, To seek for a King was their intent And to follow the star wherever it went. Noel etc
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
This star drew nigh to the northwest Over Bethlehem it took its rest, And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay. Noel etc Then did they know assuredly Within that house the King did lie: One entered in then for to see, And found the Babe in poverty: Noel etc Then entered in those wise men three Full reverently upon their knee, And offered there in His presence Their gold, and myrrh and frankincense. Noel etc
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Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again King for ever, ceasing never over us all to reign. O star of wonder… Frankincense to offer have I, incense owns a Deity nigh Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship Him, God most high. O star of wonder…
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom. Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone cold tomb. O star of wonder…
Wassailing with the Wheatsheaf
Carols Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice! Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia, heaven to earth replies. O star of wonder‌
Silent Night Silent night, holy night! All is calm, All is bright Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child Holy Infant so Tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar; Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia! Christ the Saviour is born! Christ the Saviour is born! Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light! With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King! Christ the Saviour is here, Jesus the Saviour is here! Silent night, Holy night! Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord at thy birth; Jesus Lord at thy birth.
12 Days of Christmas On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree. Two turtle doves, Three French hens, Four calling birds, Five golden rings, Six geese a-laying, Seven swans a-swimming, Eight maids a-milking, Nine ladies dancing, Ten lords a-leaping, Eleven pipers piping, Twelve drummers drumming, We wish you a Merry Christmas We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year. Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer We won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Wheatsheaf News It is all go at the Wheatsheaf at the moment. We have had shows and lettings galore here, which is great for the theatre and the local community. Already we are getting ready for next year’s productions with plans for the Spring/Summer season well under way. As you know, the new year kicks off with the Wheathsheaf Family panto - oh yes it does! - The Magnificent-ish Little Seven. This is a fun show for all the family with lots of laughs, songs and audience participation. Tickets are already selling fast, so be sure to reserve yours as soon as possible. As ever, we are on the look out for new members, so if you fancy treading the boards or helping out front of house or back stage, please contact a member of the front of house team for details, or come a long to our regular Wheatsheaf Wednesdays. And, if you are not already on the mailing list, why not sign up today to make sure you know about all our productions. We would all like to thank you for your support, and wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Charity Raffle It is traditional for us to donate our Christmas Production raffle takings to charity, and this year is no different. Each night’s raffle will be going to a different charity. Wednesday: Breast Cancer UK Thursday: Myton Hospice Friday: Warwickshire Air Ambulance Saturday: Mercia MS Therapy Centre
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Wassailing with the Wheatsheaf
Coming Soon
Wassailing with the Wheatsheaf
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