The Lights of Long Ago
Book, Music & Lyrics: Joe Partridge
A New Christmas Musical for KS2 & 3.
When Ruth, Graham, Vincent and Mary are evacuated from Bristol, the Christmas story seems a fleeting memory. But when the lights go out - everything changes.
The Lights of Long Ago is a brand new take on the Christmas nativity. Eight plot driven songs & an original script. Built like a true musical, each song is story focused and the score has built transitions, incidental music and underscores for a complete production.
Licensing Options
The Lights of Long Ago -Standard Schools Licence Pack
One-year performance licence
Digital script (PDF)
Piano/vocal score (PDF)
Directors Guide
Vocal Guide Tracks (digital download)
Instrumental Tracks (digital download)
All links provided within and are easily accessible from our resources page.
If your school is part of a trust, federation, or partnership, you can easily cover additional sites under one purchase.
This add-on licence allows one extra school within the same organisation to perform The Lights of Long Ago using the same materials.
Each additional school must hold its own valid performance licence.
Includes:
One-year performance licence for an additional school
Permission to use previously supplied digital materials
Same licence period as the original order
Note: The main licence (£95) must be purchased first. Please list all school names covered when completing your licence agreement form.
The Lights of Long Ago - Printed Pack
Want a ready-to-go physical copy of the script and score? Perfect for classroom rehearsals, this printed pack will be posted directly to your school.
Delivery note: This order is fulfilled by our on demand printing partners. We will endeavour to turn this around as quickly as possible, however may take between 8-10 days.
Included:
1x Piano/Vocal Score
1x Script
Songs
OVERTURE
IT WILL ALL BE OVER BY CHRISTMAS
WHAT’S THE POINT OF CHRISTMAS
BABY ON BOARD!
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON
CARELESS TALK COSTS LIVES
CAN’T CANCEL CHRISTMAS
THE SAME STAR
CARELESS TALK COSTS LIVES (REPRISE)
WHAT’S THE POINT OF CHRISTMAS (REPRISE)
THE LIGHTS OF LONG AGO
BOWS/PLAYOUT
Cast Recording
Gabriella Nunes Ruth/Mary
Hannah Walker Mrs Vowels
Brianna Squirrel Ellise
Issac Wray Mr Barker/Vincent
Michael Palmer Josef
Jane Lamcroft Mrs Crawford
Ralph Warman Alfie/‘Warden’
Joe Partridge Graham/Sid/Mr Sedgwick
Synopsis
Bristol, December 1940. As the city faces the terror of the Blitz, a group of children are evacuated from Temple Meads Station in search of safety in the countryside. Leaving behind their homes and families, they board a train believing one thing: Christmas this year is cancelled.
Among them are Ruth, Graham and Vincent, who feel Christmas has passed them by, and Mary, whose belief in the magic of Christmas refuses to disappear. Along the journey they meet Alfie, Elise and Sid - children who have grown up knowing that Christmas can be difficult when there is little to celebrate.
As the train journeys into a tunnel, the lights go out. In the darkness, the children discover an unexpected passenger - a baby. Their attempt to care for their tiny new companion causes chaos throughout the train, lighting up the darkness like a lighthouse. But as enemy planes approach and the train becomes a sitting duck, the children are forced to flee into the night.
Separated from the railway line, the children encounter a suspicious Home Guard unit led by the determined Mr Barker, who mistakes the frightened evacuees for enemy spies and takes them into custody. Meanwhile, train guard Mr Sedgwick, air raid warden known simply as ‘Warden’, and Women’s Voluntary Service member Mrs Vowels race to repair the damaged train and bring the children home.
Confined within their “maximum security detention facility” - a countryside stable - the children begin to see their own story reflected in the Christmas story. But when a stranded German pilot arrives, Mr Barker’s careful plans descend into chaos. The children must decide whether fear and hatred will define them, or whether compassion can overcome the divisions of war.
Through friendship, kindness and unexpected acts of generosity, the children discover that Christmas is not about presents, decorations or perfect celebrations. It is about hope, togetherness, and finding light even in the darkest moments.
The Lights of Long Ago is a heart-warming wartime musical about evacuation, courage and the timeless message of Christmas - a story where ordinary people become the messengers, travellers, shepherds and kings of their own Christmas miracle.
Curriculum Links
Music: Supports KS2 music objectives including:
Performing – singing solo and in groups, following rhythm, phrasing, and choreography cues
Composing & Arranging – experimenting with melodies, harmonies, and rhythmic patterns
Listening & Appraising – understanding structure, dynamics, and performance style
Interrelated Dimensions of Music – exploring pulse, rhythm, pitch, timbre, and expression
World War Two Topic Links (KS2 History)
This production supports the KS2 National Curriculum aim to study “a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066”, with a focus on the World War II.
Develop a chronologically secure knowledge of key events of World War Two, including the outbreak of war, evacuation, and the impact on Britain
Understand how people’s lives were affected through the study of the Home Front, including rationing, air raids, and daily life during wartime
Address historically valid questions about children’s experiences, particularly evacuation and separation from families
Construct informed responses by exploring character perspectives and motivations through performance
Understand historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, and similarity and difference
Gain historical perspective by considering the roles and contributions of different groups, including civilians and organisations such as the Women’s Voluntary Service
Through rehearsal and performance, pupils actively engage with historical content, supporting deeper understanding, empathy, and retention in line with National Curriculum expectations.
English: Supports KS2 English objectivesincluding:
Speaking & Listening – articulating lines, storytelling, and performing with expression
Reading & Comprehension – understanding plot, character motivations, and dialogue
Writing & Vocabulary – exploring lyrical phrasing, dialogue creation, and story adaptation
Drama & Performance – interpreting text through characterisation and stage movement
Personal, Social & Emotional Development:
Building confidence, resilience, and team collaboration
Understanding conflict resolution, empathy, and positive decision-making
Expressing emotions through performance and character
Show Features
🎵 8 original songs integrated with scene transitions for a fully staged story
📜 Original script
🕒 Approx. 40 minutes running time
👧 Flexible cast size — suitable for 10–50 performers
💡 Simple staging — adaptable for school halls, studios, or small theatres
📖 Includes full script, piano/vocal score, backing tracks, and directors notes
Perfectly achievable for KS2 & 3 groups, with roles and routines adaptable for different abilities and class sizes.