The Shining Signing Star

[Garry Slack]

It's still October but already I'm starting to feel a bit Christmassy!!!

I think the reason is that since its release at the start of this month there has been a lot of interest from schools and church groups across the country in my new musical nativity play in English and sign language - The Shining Signing Star.

Telling the story of the nativity in rhyme from the perspective of the animals and the stars who were at the very first Christmas, the play uses a combination of English, sign language and music to produce a totally inclusive show that is accessible to children of differing abilities and interests, whether they love to act sing and dance or get involved with the production behind the scenes.

The show also features songs and music specially written for the production by the Ivor Novello award winning composer, Paul K. Joyce, writer of the number one single, ‘Can We Fix It’, theme tune of the hit children’s television series, Bob the Builder.


I am already aware of several large productions of the play that are taking place in the UK in December plus many smaller ones at various primary and infant schools.

The play is currently featured in the November edition of Child Education Plus magazine and is also featured on their website as an interactive resource and teaching aid.

Follow the link here. You have to register to view but registration is free

http://magazines.scholastic.co.uk/content/8757

Notable performances of the play during December include St Thomas’s C of E Primary school in Lincolnshire who are actually performing the play on the evening of 14th December in the spectacular and historic surroundings of St Botolph’s Church in Lincolnshire (the famous ‘Boston Stump’). http://www.parish-of-boston.org.uk/about.htm


Two primary schools in Nottingham are working with the Music for everyone organisation www.music-for-everyone.org to perform the play at the prestigious Albert Hall in Nottingham where they will be accompanied by a full orchestra and adult choir on 13th December.

I am really looking forward to attending the premieres of the play!