Experience The True Spirit of Christmas Watching The Wintershall Nativity Play

Published on: 3 Dec, 2012
Updated on: 3 Dec, 2012

The Wintershall Nativity Play is the perfect way for families young and old to experience the true spirit of Christmas.

Mary and Joseph make their way to Bethlehem in The Wintershall Nativity Play.

The action, with cast of 70, plus real baby, horses, donkeys, sheep, angels, beacons and bonfire, takes place at Holly Barn, Wintershall, Bramley GU5 0LR.

The Hutleys, who live at the 12th-century manor, staged the first Wintershall Nativity in 1990 with a cast of family and friends, and it has grown into a hugely popular annual event. People come from all over the South East to take part. Many have been acting in it for over 20 years. Peter Hutley writes the script.

The play takes place in and around the barn on the top of the hill behind Wintershall. The audience watches the shepherds round their fire in the field, and the kings ride through the barn on their horses, so everyone feels part of the story.

“The barn was normally used for cattle and after a few years we decided it was too much fuss cleaning it out for the play and we turned the barn into a permanent theatre,” said Peter.

“The reason why I do the plays here is that I have discovered that the physical, tangible quality of hearing and seeing a person performing the plays, stays with people longer than if they just read it in a book. Theatre is a very powerful medium for broadcasting the message of love.”

Performances are on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 19, 20 and 21, at 4.45pm and 7.30pm, and on Saturday and Sunday, December 22 and 23, at 2.30pm and 5.30pm.

Book online at www.wintershall-estate.com or call 01483 892167. Tickets £15 adults and £7.50 children.