Nativity! The Musical continues at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury until 10 November 2019 and then tours until 29 December (including a run at London’s Eventim Apollo Theatre from 11-29 December).
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Despite the autumnal weather, Christmas has arrived sparkling and shining to the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury. Joyous Nativity! The Musical, written and directed by Debbie Isitt, follows the same tale as Isitt’s beloved 2009 film starring Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen. The original stage adaptation premiered at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 2017 before touring the UK, playing to packed-out theatres and receiving rave reviews, going on the road once again in 2018. Expectations for this current tour are no doubt high then, but it doesn’t disappoint.
The story, of course, follows primary school teacher Mr Maddens who has a Grinch-like love of Christmas due to being left by his girlfriend Jennifer during a previous festive season. Mr Maddens reluctantly agrees to producing St Bernadette’s nativity, aided by the over-enthusiastic, larger than life teaching assistant Mr Poppy. Hilarious chaos ensues when a white lie told to the rival school Oakmoor Prep’s pompous teacher, Mr Shakespeare, gets spectacularly out of hand and Mr Maddens finds himself having to deliver Hollywood to Coventry.
The cast is led by Scott Garnham, superb as Mr Maddens, and Scott Paige bringing the much-loved, childish Mr Poppy to life. The supporting casts include Ashleigh Gray, demonstrating her extraordinary vocals as Jennifer, and Charles Brunton offering a master class of wry arrogance as Mr Shakespeare.
Despite all the adult cast being outstanding, as in the movie, the show belongs to the kids. Every single child on the stage representing St Bernadette’s and Oakmoor Prep gives a performance worthy of being seen by Hollywood. Particularly talented youngsters include Kheiri Isaac-Osmani who descends from the stars bringing ‘Good News’ to Nazareth as TJ/Angel Gabriel and Katelyn-Janet Rollason giving a confident and sassy performance of ‘Sparkle and Shine’ as the star of Bethlehem.
The musical includes all the well-known songs from the first film and a host of new tracks which audiences love just as much. Whether you’re a fan of the original film or new to Nativity!, this genuinely heart-warming and wonderfully uplifting production is guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit and leave you smiling and singing ‘Sparkle and Shine’ until the New Year.
Holly Harding
Tickets for the London run of Nativity! The Musical are available HERE
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