Liverpool Nativity

Liverpool Nativity was a large live event with a major element of local public participation, which in effect launched Liverpool City of Culture 2008. It involved extensive collaboration between the BBC, the Liverpool City Council, both Anglican & Catholic churches, the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts and local amateur and professional groups. The story took popular songs from Liverpool bands (such as the Beatles, the Zutons, The LA’s) to refl ect the emotions and drama of the Nativity. The story unfolded right the way across the city and was narrated by the Angel Gabriel, who controlled the action via a huge bank of CCTV monitors in front of a large crowd, supported by an orchestra, with the Star of Bethlehem shining above. Mary worked as a waitress on the other side of the river at the Seacombe Ferry Terminal. Joseph was her asylum-seeker boyfriend. Their journey to “Bethlehem” was taken on board the Mersey ferry. Herod lived in St George’s Hall surrounded by aides & security guards. The Magi arrived by limousine at St George’s Hall. The shepherds, in this story including some real homeless people, were huddled around a brazier in the grounds of Liverpool Parish Church, and the “No Room at the Inn” scene took place outside a local pub.