We’re in a church surrounded by candle light and a teacher is giving a chat before leaving a young persons event to the first of, what is hoped will be, an annual Christmas sleepover
Mrs Chales
Now before I retire to the presbytery I need to have a chat with you all about safety and behaviour.
This has been a truly wonderful idea to have this Christmas Eve sleepover in your Christmas night wear here in this church and indeed it very well could become an annual tradition.
At the moment we’ve decided to call the event the 2021 Christmas Dream Sleepover Club. And, very cleverly, for next year we’ve decided to call it…
Wait for it.
…the 2022 Christmas Dream Sleepover Club.
The kids show they’re sarcastic appreciation at such ingenuity
Mrs Chales
But 2022 can only happen if you are all well behaved this year and that there’s no shouting, no trouble and no damage whatsoever.
Victoria, as you know, is going to be the compere to the event so I’m now going to get out of your way, but before I do, let me be the first to state my own Christmas Dream.
May you all have the most fantastic Christmas Eve evening you have ever had. Thank you, goodnight and I’ll see you bright and early so that you can be collected and go off to your families to open your presents etc.
Everyone
Thank you Mrs Chales
Mrs Chales walks out
Christine
Well forget that, now that she’s gone, forget this Christmas Dream rubbish let’s have some real…
Victoria
Christine. One more word and you can head straight back home still wearing you’re onesie
Christine
But…
Everyone
You’re on your own Christine
Victoria
Right we’re going to ask everyone to tell us their Christmas Dream. Who’s going to go first.
Christine
Well, after that, my Christmas dream is to get some new friends who know how to have fun.
She sings Christmas is ruined
Christmas is Ruined
Verse
Christmas is ruined
I want to go home
There's nothing here for me
I feel so alone
You want me to be like everyone else
Well I'm just not like that
It's not ok
It isn't ruined but you have try you have to work with us. I'm not gonna lie. if you weren't so selfish, there'd be no need to cry Please think about others, you're not alone
Chorus
Christine you're not alone, Well I don't feel that way
In which case we will try to see your point of view,
To know what you're going through Christine you're not alone
Christine storms out
Kyla
Christine come back
Jenna
I'm sure she'll come back
Kyla
Well I'm going to go and find her
Victoria
Right, let's try again. We’re going to ask everyone to tell us their Christmas Dream. Who’s going to go first?
Person 2
My Christmas dream is
Person 3
My Christmas dream is
Person 4
My Christmas dream is
Person 5
My Christmas dream is
Kyla
My Christmas dream is…
Christine
My Christmas dream is…
…
Etc. Etc.
It’s only once the last person in the queue has answered her Christmas Dream that Victoria realises that Nadine is missing.
Victoria
Hold on. Where’s Nadine. Has anyone seen her?
Everyone shakes their head. Victoria and the others start calling out and looking around
Someone pulls back a screen and we find Nadine slumped at a piano
Victoria
Nadine, what? Are you ok? Why did you hide yourself away.
Nadine
I thought I’d be ok tonight but it’s exactly a year since my best friend Angela left the country for good. Every Christmas Eve we would gather round the piano by her fireplace and sing songs. I so wish we could do it again. I miss her so much.
Victoria
Sorry to hear that Nadine & right now I think I can guess what you’re Christmas dream would be.
Excluding that? What is your Christmas Dream?
Nadine pauses deep in thought
Nadine
Can I ask you all to help me. Christmas was our favourite time so I’ve written a song about how magical it used to be and how I feel right now. Could you all help me sing it?
Victoria
Of course. Everyone up for that?
Everyone
Yes
At the same time as the others are agreeing to help, Christine says yes while rolling her eyes
Christine
Yes
Nadine starts playing and singing
A Christmas Dream
Verse 1
Christmas time, Church bells ring, as we walk to school in the snow, I think of you, and what we talked through, in the light of the fires glow
Bridge
Christmas time again, a time when dreams begin, will you pursue your dream
Chorus
Now it’s Christmas time again, Rudolph fly’s again, Take hold of the reins take hold with love and take hold of your dream, Cause it’s Christmas time again, Follow your heart Rudolph fly’s again, Follow your dream Take hold of the reins take hold with love and take hold of your dream,
Verse 2
Did you know, that in the snow, I wrote out your name, as I called it out, the snow did fall, & i watched as it faded away
Bridge
Christmas time again, a time when dreams begin, will you pursue your dream
Chorus
Now it’s Christmas time again, Rudolph fly’s again, Take hold of the reins
take hold with love and take hold of your dream, Cause it’s Christmas time again, Follow your heart Rudolph fly’s again, Follow your dream Take hold of the reins take hold with love
and take hold of your dream,
Break
Don’t ask why, just deliver it, don’t tell me you can’t find the time just believe in it, don’t tell me that you do not believe to waste your life, I just want to say, it’s a crime
Bridge
Christmas time again, a time when dreams begin, will you pursue your dream
Chorus
Now it’s Christmas time again, Rudolph fly’s again, Take hold of the reins
take hold with love and take hold of your dream, Cause it’s Christmas time again, Follow your heart Rudolph fly’s again, Follow your dream Take hold of the reins take hold with love
and take hold of your dream,
Break
Don’t ask why, just deliver it, don’t tell me you can’t find the time just believe in it, don’t tell me that you do not believe to waste your life, I just want to say, it’s a crime
The song finishes and everyone cheers. Mrs Chales walks to the front.
Mrs Chales
That was so so good everyone.
Nadine
Thank you so much to everyone of you. I feel so much better but I think I’m going doolally though as I could have sworn that I could hear Angela singing with you.
Angela
Well Nadine, you always need to be careful what you wish for.
Nadine turns around. Looks in disbelief and after a short pause, they embrace.
Cast
VictoriaA natural team leader. Evie
Nadine Songwriter. Anna
Christine A Rebel Teddy
Mrs Chales Teacher - Fatima
Angela The friend that had emigrated. Ruby
Kyla Alicia
A Christmas Dream recording
backing track
32. A Christmas Dream -1
Verse 1
Christmas time, Church bells ring, as we walk to school in the snow, I think of you, and what we talked through, in the light of the fires glow
Bridge
Christmas time again, a time when dreams begin, will you pursue your dream
Chorus
Now it’s Christmas time again, Rudolph fly’s again, Take hold of the reins take hold with love and take hold of your dream, Cause it’s Christmas time again, Follow your heart Rudolph fly’s again, Follow your dream Take hold of the reins take hold with love and take hold of your dream,
Verse 2
Did you know, that in the snow, I wrote out your name, as I called it out, the snow did fall, & i watched as it faded away
Bridge
Christmas time again, a time when dreams begin, will you pursue your dream
Chorus
Now it’s Christmas time again, Rudolph fly’s again, Take hold of the reins
take hold with love and take hold of your dream, Cause it’s Christmas time again, Follow your heart Rudolph fly’s again, Follow your dream Take hold of the reins take hold with love
and take hold of your dream,
Break
Don’t ask why, just deliver it, don’t tell me you can’t find the time just believe in it, don’t tell me that you do not believe to waste your life, I just want to say, it’s a crime
Bridge
Christmas time again, a time when dreams begin, will you pursue your dream
Chorus
Now it’s Christmas time again, Rudolph fly’s again, Take hold of the reins
take hold with love and take hold of your dream, Cause it’s Christmas time again, Follow your heart Rudolph fly’s again, Follow your dream Take hold of the reins take hold with love
and take hold of your dream,
Break
Don’t ask why, just deliver it, don’t tell me you can’t find the time just believe in it, don’t tell me that you do not believe to waste your life, I just want to say, it’s a crime
Words & Music Frank Scarito
stories
Mila
in the forest the two sisters Ana & teddy walking through the forst while their parents set up the tent. They heard noises in the forest, they discovered two people with pointed ears. Teddy sneezed, the elves spotted them. The kids tried to hide, but the elves approached them and had a funny conversation
Harun
A greedy kid, the other kids weren't happy with him because he kept hitting others with snowballs They got revenge by ganging up on him
Ruby
a family taking a walk in the forest. They sat on a bench, the two children could hear a moth, the moth then kept following them. It sounding like it was talking. were they imagining it? One of them realised it was for real, then followed the moth.
Fatima
I have photographed her story
Alicia
in a dark snowy forest with creepy noises
Shragvi
a girl called Maria, built a snowman, her mum called her. In the park was far away. Her mum was walking fast, Maria got lost, she saw a bear. She tripped. She called out help there's a bear. The bear talked and said I can help you.
Anna
A happy christmas. Teddy and anna woke up and saw many gifts, and mum and dad. They had to go to sleep, they foloowed the sound, it was elves. They said, why are you here. You talked to Santa, he gave them a lift home.
Teddy
a story of going to lapland by plane to get their presents
Alicia
dark forest, creepy, setting up a camp. The two children got lost while looking, they were cold. They heard the noise again. It followed them to a cottage. Inside the cottage there was nothing. Old cob webs and spiders. They stayed until it was safe to go out. as they went they heard a loud noise. They came accross a nice wolf