Nativity the Musical

Nativity! The Musical was written by Debbie Isitt, with music by Nicky Ager, and was based on Debbie’s 2009 film of the same name. It follows a primary school in Coventry, St Bernadette's, where teacher Mr Maddens and his assistant, Mr Poppy mount a musical version of the nativity with the students, promising it will be adapted into a Hollywood movie and that it will beat their deadly rivals at Oakmoor Prep to a five-star review in the local paper.

The curtains drew back to reveal a clever, adaptable set (designed by Rog Ness) that was mainly a school but, with a few changes, could also be a stage and a Hollywood producer’s office. Sarah Melville sensibly kept costumes fairly simple but with the aid of Ian Pratt’s imaginative lighting design they conjured up exactly the right images.

What a superbly talented cast Director James Etheridge has chosen. Jevan Fletcher made the perfect strait-laced teacher Paul Maddens. We were all willing him to tell his girlfriend Jennifer how he really felt. Lauren Foorde played Jennifer very believably, allowing her ambition to take her away from home, but never really achieving her dreams. Anthony Davies was marvellous as rival teacher Gordon Shakespeare, a villain very much in the Victorian melodrama mould, determined to get his 5-star review at all costs. Katie Hobbs made a splendid headteacher, Mrs Bevan, the mother hen, very protective of her little chicks, while Dan Farmiloe camped it up nicely (but never too much) as the local paper reviewer Patrick Burns. For me, the star of the adults was Tom Doolan as Mr Poppy – what a great performance he gave as this fantastical character: crazy, energetic and charismatic – just a big kid really.

Of course, the real stars of the show were the children – far too many to mention individually, you were all a-maz-ing! You all understood your characters and acted, sang and danced to perfection, demonstrating great confidence and stage presence. For me, the best song in the show was “Dear Father Christmas” - it really brought a tear to my eye. Huge WELL DONE to you all.

Director James Etheridge has drawn out some great performances from his cast and, his staging, together with Bee Anderson’s clever choreography, allowed the show to move along at breakneck speed with never a chance for younger members of the audience (or the older ones, for that matter) to get bored.

It was really nice to see a live band – only a four-piece but under Emily Horner’s direction, they made a splendid and surprisingly varied sound. Emily had obviously worked all the singers hard too – the standard of the solo and chorus singing and diction was excellent, helped by a good sound system (Ultra Light & Sound Ltd) so that we heard every word.

This was an exuberant and thrilling show, full or colour and life, that really gave my spirits a lift. You had the audience on their feet at the end with rapturous applause. What a splendid way to start Christmas!  You definitely get 5 stars from me!

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