Nativity! The Musical

Nativity! The Musical was adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt, the creator of the much loved films. The Book and Lyrics are by Debbie Isitt and the Music is by Debbie Isitt and Nicky Agar. Every year St. Bernadette's Primary School compete with Oakmore Private School to see who can produce the best Nativity Play. Mr. Paul Maddens, at teacher at St. Bernadette's, is to produce this year's play to hopefully save the school from going into special measures. However, he struggles with this task due to a combination of energetic pupils and a broken heart but with the help of Mr. Poppy, his new teaching assistant, and the fact that he has promised that a Hollywood producer is coming to turn the show into a film, it does lead to the creation of Coventry's greatest Nativity play yet.

What a brilliant performance came from Matthew Szadura as Mr. Maddens. He totally captured all the different nuances of the character, it was such an endearing portrayal. As well as his self assured acting skills, he is vocally very strong and the emotional duet 'Suddenly' with Jennifer, his lost love, was so movingly delivered. As Jennifer, Charlotte Harrison was delightful. She both acted and sang the part wonderfully and there was a very lovely chemistry between herself and Mr. Maddens. Josh Skeldon was excellent as Mr. Poppy. He had a superb rapport with Mr. Maddens as well as with the children and all of his zany, uninhibited and crazy antics were carried out with great comic timing and with such energetic exuberance it was indeed, a top-notch performance. Leighton Hendon was perfect in the role of Mr. Shakespeare, a teacher at Oakmoor Private School. He so terrifically communicated the arrogance, conceited and overbearing nature of the role and he was so objectionable as the authoritarian, Herod. He too, has a super singing voice. Nicola Smith was fabulous as Mrs. Bevan and her introduction to the actual performance of the Nativity play was so emotionaly and heartfelt delivered. Excellent support in the adult minor roles came from Emily Skill as Miss Rye, from William Cousins as Patrick Burns, from Lauren Turner as The Mayor and from Tracey Leeds as The Producer. The four main children's roles were all exquisitely delivered. Eddie Waller was first-rate as cheeky-chappie Ollie and his 'rap' was just exceptional, Ruby Randle sang so sweetly as the very cute Katelyn, Daniel Hunt was so funny as Alfie and his 'long' note outburst was unbelievable and Dylan Ciceron's portaryal of TJ was absolutely stunning. There were twenty six other children that were listed as playing multiple roles and I must say that everyone of them so enthusiasically gave their all in acting, singing and dancing. All the numerous songs throughout were so well sung, choreographed and executed but I must mention the moving delivery by the children of 'Dear Father Christmas' because it was so emotionally and so heart-rendingly sung - it was so special as was the appearance of Mr. Maddens and Mr. Poppy dressed as Mary and Joseph - I will say no more! There are so many different settings in the show from classrooms, playgrounds, airports, Hollywood Studios and of course the Cathedral that on such a small stage it would be nigh impossible to have sets for each of them but we were magically transported to all of these locations by some fanatastic back projections which definitely added that extra dimension and together with some innovative props - I loved the 'houses', the 'planets' and the 'dog'. The Playhouse is very small and intimate but great use was made of the centre aisle especially when some of the cast did a 'conga-line' going out of the auditorium following the sumptuously costumed 'The Lord Mayor's Ball' and later when coming down the aisle, it served for the arrival of The Producer and Jennifer from Hollywood after the landing of the 'excellent lighting' of the helicopter descent. The costumes were excellent and with a good lighting plot, sound and the small band together with such an enthusiastic, hardworking and impassioned cast of adults and children this was truly a most entertaining and heart-warming production, it definitely did, 'Sparkle And Shine'. Many congratulations to Creative Director, Joshua Mason, to Musical Directors Melanie Gilbert and Matthew Szadura, to Choreographer, Emily Skill, to the awesome cast and to everyone else involved - I certainly enjoyed every moment.

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