Flint Street Nativity

‘Flint Street Nativity’, and what a good laugh that play is!

A good set to frame the piece, music worked well, and director Cheryl Collings had assembled a credible cast as they took on the roles of the seven-year-olds.

The traditional primary school nativity play with all the personalities and problems on full view as we waited for the action, some wonderful character studies to exploit in this familiar story. From the bossy and self-assured Mary of Di Reeve, and her competitor to hold the baby, Gabriel from Lesley Dillon who really wanted to be Mary, and Joseph from Ian Cashmore who seemed shy  and needed support as he hid behind his head-dress, but also doubled as Herod, waving to audience and great looks more than words here. The naughty and bad-tempered Innkeeper from larger than life Neil Ellson, the angel from Jac Gatfield who was involved and confused in the anti- moods. Liked the gawky Star from Will Houlton who wanted his NASA uncle to see him, and comedy well timed from Wise Gold (not knowing what to do) of Judy Ellson, and the Wise Frankincense of Jean Clarke who kept popping up. Strong Shepherding from Lyndsey King and Pat Dawson with their lambs and loved the Ass of Dave Tyrell. And all this mayhem controlled (?) and narrated in full flow by John King, who really wanted to see his dad.

The challenge to all to sing those Christmas carols with the script words to motivate the play, how difficult when we all know the words from years back!

What fun you must all have had in rehearsal, wonder that it reached the stage at all with such hilarity throughout. A play to offer so much opportunity to develop those characters and to see the other side in finale when the parents revealed themselves, and we got to understood exactly how the children had been influenced in their lives. Actually a revelation on life even whilst poking all that fun on stage. A good evening entertainment.

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