Out of Darkness, Christmas Light

Twelvebaskets Limited

Rating:

Out of Darkness, Christmas Light is a Nativity musical with a difference, as it aims to cover aspects of the Science curriculum alongside the traditional Christmas story.

There are seven original songs written in a variety of styles; two based around the traditional song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. The CD contains backing tracks as well performance versions of each song. The backing tracks are of a good quality except for an occasional out of place distorted rock guitar. The performance versions are of adequate quality to make them useful in teaching the songs. The songs are designed to be used across KS1 and 2. As such, some of the songs are maybe too simplistic for the older children. However, the songs would be enjoyable to sing and cover both RE and Science themes.

The CD offers two scripts, one for KS1 and one for KS2, both covering the same basic story but with more characters and dialogue in the KS2 script. The script begins with the characters discussing light from a scientific viewpoint with the Angel Gabriel, before moving onto a light hearted version of the Nativity story. The script then briefly returns to its original theme as it ends with the premise that Jesus is the Light of The World. Although the cross-curricular approach may make this production appealing, and it does contain some good material, it does not really work as a fully developed Nativity or as a teaching tool for the scientific concepts

Reviewer: Andrew Hornsby, Music and RE Subject Leader/Collective Worship Co-ordinator, Holton-le-Clay Junior School, Lincolnshire

Review posted on: 11 August 2010

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