Simon Lipkin, Daniel Boys and the ‘children of St Bernadette’s’ in Nativity! The Musical at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Touring. Picture: Richard Davenport
Nativity! The Musical continues at Birmingham Repertory Theatre until 12 November and then tours until 6 January 2018.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Scrap the panto. If you see one thing this season, let it be this.
Gathering a cult following in 2009, Debbit Isitt’s comic Christmas masterpiece Nativity! hit the box office, chronicling the tale of a a small, under-resourced primary school in Coventry, sent into a whirlwind after Mr Maddens lies about Hollywood coming to their Nativity (during a battle of the boast with rival school teacher and ex-friend, Mr Shakespeare).
It feels rare that a stage version of such a commercial hit should bear the weight of its predecessor’s success, but this adaptation by Isitt herself, along with composer Nicky Ager, is crafted beautifully, and for all the right reasons. The result is above and beyond expectations.
Featuring all the songs from the film – and a few new numbers – the score is exuberant and totally sincere. There’s nothing polished or affected about the music, its joy lies in its giddy honesty.
For a show so centred around children and Christmas, there is not a cheap gag to be seen (well, unless you count those uttered with tongues firmly in cheeks). The work on the casting and the direction of the children has paid dividends. Every single one possesses a comic timing and delivery beyond their years, and an infectious attitude.
No fear though – no opportunity is lost to maturity in celebrating the utter exhilaration and goofiness of the playground in all its glory. This is in no small part down to some gleeful choreography by Andrew Wright.
Undoubtedly, though, the driving force of this show is Simon Lipkin as Mr Poppy. Lipkin takes exuberance to a visceral and utterly heartfelt level that scrunches any ounce of cynicism into catapult ammo.
Contagious in his labrador-ish gusto (and clearly beloved of his young colleagues), he hides his technical mastery and skill under the shambolic mask of a clown, and is all the more cherished for it. Lipkin has accomplished the unenviable task of putting his own indelible stamp on the role (vividly originated by Mark Wootton in the film) and matches, if not surpasses, his predecessor.
Our three fractured musketeers take up their archetypal mantles with style: Andy Brady as the bitter, failed actor-turned-teacher is deliciously villainous; Sarah Earnshaw, as Jennifer, manages to juggle comedy and pathos, while making full use of a robust and versatile voice,; and our Mr Maddens is the perfect flawed hero, played with great wit and warmth (even when grumpy) by Daniel Boys.
David Woodhead has done a fantastic job with the set design, creating a space that accommodates the quiet intimacy of a warm classroom, to an impressive and vast imagining of Coventry cathedral.
At its heart, this show is not just a set-piece, but a passionate testimony to the power of the faith we show others, and the absolute joy of being a kid.
The earnest, upright little boy next to me had forgotten his manners and joined the rest of us on our feet, whooping and grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
Aura Simon
Tickets for Nativity! The Musical at the Eventim Apollo, London are available HERE.
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