Guaranteed to get you in festive mood
IT has taken me a while to feel in the festive mood this year. Normally after the pumpkins have been thrown away in November, I’m in full blown Christmas mode.
Whether it’s the confusing feeling of watching the World Cup in winter, or the doom and gloom of costs rising and rising, it just hasn’t felt like the festive season.
But that all changed after my visit to the Birmingham Rep.
Nativity! The Musical is back at the theatre – and boy will it turn our frowns upside down.
Based on the hit film Nativity!, starring Martin Freeman, the story focuses on the children of St Bernadette’s Primary School, in Coventry, as they attempt to stage their Christmas show - the Nativity.
Their teacher, Mr Maddens, who hates the festive season after his girlfriend left him at Christmas, is given the job of producing the show.
His new teaching assistant, Mr Poppy, overhears Mr Maddens fibbing to a teacher from a rival school that a Hollywood producer is coming to see the show.
Mr Poppy soon tells everyone and Coventry awaits their glamorous visitors. And, of course, it all goes slightly pear-shaped.
Billy Roberts is perfect as Mr Maddens, playing that loveable but slightly grumpy teacher. While his rival, Mr Shakespeare, is played by Matthew Rowland, who you just love to hate.
But my favourite was Ben Lancaster in the role of Mr Poppy. He’s the teacher that never wants to grow up and he plays the role of the big kid fantastically. He’s hilarious and steals every scene.
And the on-screen chemistry between Mr Poppy and Mr Maddens – their love-hate relationship – makes for a lot of laughter.
But the complete stars of the show are the schoolchildren. They are the heart of the performance.
Each child is given their chance to shine individually, but they also work wonderfully together as an ensemble. You’d think they had been on the stage for years and years.
They make you laugh, they bring tears to your eyes and I was brimming with pride as if they were my own children. They all seemed so enthusiastic, like they were having the best time of their lives on stage.
I particularly loved Matilda Flower, who was the star – quite literally – of the Nativity, while Kyrelle Lammy and Frankie Bradbury also stood out as the Angel Gabriel and Ollie respectively. I also can’t not mention the oh-socute dog portraying Cracker.
There are catchy songs throughout, including Nazareth and Sparkle and Shine – you won’t be able to get them out of your head for days.
I left the theatre grinning from ear to ear – and I haven’t stopped smiling since.
Nativity! The Musical is at the Birmingham Rep until January 7.