Nativity the Musical

Although I have watched the film of Nativity, this was my first time watching a live presentation of the seasonal production and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The decoration in the entrance, the warm welcome and the prospect of a sell-out show definitely added to the anticipation.

This well-known musical follows the efforts of two Coventry primary schools, Oakmoor and St. Bernadette’s, as they try to outdo each other as they stage their annual Christmas nativities. Intertwined within the story is the friendship of the three main characters Paul, Gordon and Jennifer. The show is great fun and is an energetic production from the beginning to the end and your cast gave it everything.

Andy Martin had created a wonderful stage set with a central revolve which was cleverly used for school settings, Hollywood, offices, the Madden’s home and the impressively decorated Cathedral with parts of arches and flying buttresses. The additional parts of scenery and props were all totally correct and moved skilfully around the set by the players and stage crew and the lighting enhanced the scenes. The lit mirror balls certainly added to the sparkle and shine element of the show! Excellent.

It was wonderful to have a live orchestra who were expertly led by your musical director and added so much to the production. All the musical numbers were excellently delivered with feeling but I especially liked the contrast between from the more thoughtful children’s numbers like ‘Dear Father Christmas’ to the lively ‘Sparkle and Shine.’ Congratulations.

The sound throughout was set at an appropriate level and the dialogue and musical numbers were clearly heard. All the double entendre were certainly well received by the adults in the audience. The helicopter sound effect certainly had people looking around the stalls. Well done.

One advantage of producing a more up to dates show costumes are sometimes easier to source but with the number of your cast I bet your costume team still spent a great deal of time finding well-fitting outfits. I must say I did like the contrast of costumes for Herod! The Rock Opera and Mr Poppy’s idiot mittens!

As mentioned before three main characters lead us through the story, Paul Maddens, Gordon Shakespeare and Jennifer Lore. They were childhood friends with big ambitions to succeed in the theatre and movie business but, we learn early on in the story that their dreams are not totally fulfilled. The two males end up as primary school teachers, for very different schools and Jennifer an assistant for a producer in Hollywood. These three characters were portrayed brilliantly by your chosen actors.

The actor playing Mr Maddens showed both sides of his character brilliantly, the charming, warm side with Jennifer until he lost her and the disillusioned teacher working at a failing school. He demonstrated his frustration when the head told him he had to direct the Christmas Nativity and lack of belief with his pupils’ abilities. His initial interaction with Mr Poppy was well managed and it was great to see his determination to encourage his class to triumph at the end, a true primary school teacher!!

Jennifer showed her love for Paul but her total belief in her abilty to succeed in Hollywood led to her leaving him. Her exchanges with Mr Parker were demeaning and hard to listen to but the reunion at the end heart-warming.

Gordon Shakespeare, Mr Maddens 5 star review rival, created a dramatic over the top character very like a pantomime baddie, in fact some members of the audience booed him! He created a driven director who was not going to be beaten by St. Bernadette’s and would win at all costs. His vocal delivery in Herod! The Rock Opera was superb.

What to say about Mr Poppy or maybe what not to say! You have certainly found a gem of a performer who created a fantastic characterisation. He jumped onto the stage at the beginning of the show and didn’t stop until the finale, he must have been exhausted at the end of each performance.  He was like a Duracell Bunny bouncing around the stage interacting brilliantly with all the children. His enthusiasm and belief in every child were wonderful to see and although child like himself he showed a steely determination when interacting with Mr Maddens that every child, he related to would achieve their dreams. It was also wonderful to see the softer side of his portrayal, certainly a true tour de force performance.

Mrs Bevan was wonderfully played. She showed her determination to every pupil in her failing school, she believed in them and thought they should all have a chance to bloom, an expectation I have come across from exceptional heads during my teaching career. Her joy when she thought Hollywood were coming to her school and at the Mayor’s Ball came across brilliantly and her dancing during the interview excellent. She also showed pathos when she thought her dreams were shattered. Excellent.

The actor playing Patrick Burns created a character everyone loved to hate. You realised when he arrived with his acerbic criticism who he was backing to succeed. Miss Rye showed a teacher not prepared to let dreams get in the way of reality. Your player portraying the Mayor and Priest was able to create two distinct characters using different accents. Mr Parker came across as an obnoxious boss who thought a lot of himself and Tonia an arci typal American receptionist, both had good accents. The other members of your ensemble played numerous good supporting roles.

Your Director and Choreographer obviously ensured the show was beautifully presented with well thought out choreographed and rehearsed routines. As I mentioned above as always with your production your adult cast shine but I think stealing the show this time were the children. The junior cast were numerous and excellently coached from the snooty, perfect members of the Oakmoor prep school to the pupils and staff from the less privileged St Bernadettes. The children certainly used their vocals to differentiate their expected status but those from the lower classes displayed their journey from funny, anxious pupils to the stars of the show. Every junior member of your team was on point and smiled from beginning to end. There were some great comic moments and although I could comment about all the children, I would like to mention the Star of Bethlehem’s lovely singing, Joseph’s knee slide and operatic singing, Mary’s confident solo and Joe’s rap and finale. Fantastic work! 

Lastly, I would like to mention another star of the show, Cracker the dog. Nothing seemed to phase her and she knew exactly what was expected of her. I hope she was rewarded appropriately.

I’m hoping from my comments that you all realise this was an exceptional production. To transfer a film to a stage, show sometimes doesn’t work because of all the flash special effects that can be added on film but your cast took us through all the ups and downs of the story. You had the audience laughing, cheering and crying and started everyone’s Christmas season off to a brilliant start. I would like to congratulate your entire team for another outstanding production and wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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