Nativity the Musical

Nativity The Musical

Port Sunlight Players

28/11/25

Nativity! The Musical is sparkling, a joy filled celebration of Christmas spirit, creativity, and community. Bursting with catchy songs, laugh out loud moments, and heartfelt emotion, it captures everything audiences love about the original film, then add an irresistible spark of live theatre. There was a full house at the Gladstone Theatre for this popular Christmas musical, Port Sunlight Players excel in this genre, last year we had the wonderful ‘Elf’. Nativity follows the story of Mr. Maddens (Nick Hawkswell), a primary school teacher tasked with putting on his school’s nativity play at St. Bernadettes primary school by headmistress Mrs Bevan (Vicky Holbrook), with a little “help” from the new in post exuberant classroom assistant, Mr. Poppy (John Sprung-Murphy) who we later find out is not actually qualified to be a classroom assistant at all. Mr Maddens, is a gentle and likeable teacher that is heartbroken after his long-term girlfriend Jennifer (Maddy Hughes) left him at Christmas five years ago to pursue her own dreams of becoming a Hollywood producer. Unbeknown to him she is lonely and unhappy in California, her boss studio executive Mr Gritig (Chris McEvoy) is demanding and pompous, promising her promotion that never happens. Maddy gave a believable performance of this disillusioned young woman, with an incredible singing voice she was a joy to watch.

Mr Maddens finds himself caught in a rivalry with Gordon Shakespeare his ex-friend and uptight teacher at the local private school Oakmoor. Unfortunately, the tour de force that is Mr Poppy mentions a possible Hollywood visit. He is provoked by Shakespeare to exaggerate the scale of the nativity claiming that Hollywood producers are coming to turn their performance into a movie. Believing the prospect of a Hollywood Producer visit, Mr Shakespeare decides to do an opposite nativity theme, his scene as Herod is tremendous, well done. With the knowledge of a Hollywood film St Bernadettes primary buzzes with excitement, chaotic hilarity ensues, and Mr Maddens is forced to embark on a trip to LA in an attempt to make his lie a reality, taking two of his young stars, Alfie (Jack Cole) and Kaitlin (Bella Farrell) with him.

Accomplished Director Emma Gorden chose her cast so well, assisted by Laura Moses the actors showed their immense skills in this production, both acting and singing in the adult ensemble pieces. Nicki Finney did a marvellous job with children of a mixed ability, supported by the talented dance captain Poppy Yates she obviously was not deterred by ‘not working with children or animals’ as she had ‘Barney’ the cockapoo who befriended Mr Poppy to deal with. The production team of Lewis Bradley (Lighting) Josh Fowler (Sound), stage crew led by Emma Gorden were splendid. I must thank the chaperones for this show, they had a job and a half with such a large young cast, too many to mention well done.

The music is infectious, toe-tapping, uplifting, and beautifully arranged by Musical Director Greg Williams, with standout numbers like “Sparkle and Shine”, “Nazareth “and Bethlehem guaranteed to leave everyone smiling and singing along. This Musical isn't complete without the children, having two full teams for two primary schools, team Sparkle St, Bernadettes, team Shine St. Bernadettes. Then we have team Sparkle Oakmoor, team Shine Oakmoor There is a remarkable quality in each and every one of the young people who appeared on the Gladstone stage, all sixty of them. Their confidence and stage presence are outstanding for a production on this scale, even when one child Ollie (Theo Davies) had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction, supported by TJ/Gabriel (Oscar Henry) both were able to carry on in style! Well done. The children really shine as they take on the feel-good smash hit songs from the film, particularly ‘Sparkle and Shine’ which had the audience behind them clapping and dancing along. You could really feel the love and warmth that the audience felt for these children. 

Nativity! The Musical has everything and more you expect from a production; great cast, infectious joy and an incredible young cast. Full of heart, and packed with Christmas cheer reminding us of the power of believing in ourselves and in a little bit of magic. It’s a show that leaves you glowing with happiness and ready to celebrate the season. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew on a truly great show.

 

Joanne Rymer

NODA

District 4

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