The nativity play what I wrote has gone wrong

READING Rep Theatre always likes to do things a little differently — and their Christmas production this year is no exception.

The Nativity Play Goes Wrong is the story of an am-dram group, Script Over Scripture, whose attempts to stage the traditional yuletide story go awry — with a collapsing manger, a deranged donkey and a director on the verge of hysteria.

The play has been scripted by Mischief Theatre, a young comedy company whose last show, The Play That Goes Wrong, started at a bijou theatre in Islington, transferred to the West End and goes on national tour in the new year.

Director Nicholas Thompson said: “The play comes from a series we have been working on for a few years — it’s a ‘play within a play’ scenario. An am-dram group goes in with the best of intentions to stage a fantastic nativity play, but things conspire against them.

“I’m thrilled to be directing here, and to be continuing my work with Mischief Theatre, one of the UK’s most exciting comedy theatre companies.”

A live sheep is expected to make a cameo appearance.

The play runs at the black box theatre in Reading College from Sunday, December 22 to Saturday, January 4. Tickets are £12/£10 concessions. To book call 0118 375 0280 or visit their website www.readingrep.com