Nativity The Musical, Derby Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed By Lindsay Burton
Getting earlier every year, my Christmas celebrations well and truly kicked off last night at the Derby Theatre with Nativity! The Musical. This is based on one of my family’s all-time favourite Christmas movies “The Nativity” and one that’s on our list of must-see Christmas movies every single year!
The story tells of three childhood friends who graduate from drama school but not quite fulfilling their dreams. Jennifer goes to Hollywood to make movies and the two young men, both failed actors, have become primary teachers at rival schools. The musical follows the Coventry based schools posh private Oakmoor and struggling St Bernadette’s as they prepare for their annual Nativities competing for the best theatre review from a renowned critic. At St Bernadette’s, teacher Mr. Maddens and his very excitable assistant, Mr. Poppy mount their own inspired musical version of the Nativity with the pupils, mistakenly promising them that it will be made into a Hollywood movie, whilst Oakmoor go for a rock version of the story of Herod!
These three characters were cast extremely well. Lucas Shirtcliffe portrayed a warm and endearing teacher as Mr. Maddens. Ben Mather as Gordon Shakespeare was dramatic and convincing, his theatrical rock number Herod! The Rock Opera supported by five girls from Oakmoor Prep was slightly terrifying and strangely alluring – you know that feeling when you don’t want to look but you can’t turn your eyes away? Sarah Doughty portrayed a kind and delightful Jennifer, her lovely vocals with that of Lucas Shirtcliffe made for a lovely duet which we all enjoyed. All three gave great performances and formed plausible relationships – they had great chemistry on stage and had the audience on side very quickly.
This Nativity is not possible however without Mr. Poppy the new high-spirited, childlike and cheery classroom assistant played brilliantly by Arden-Caspar Jennison. His opening song Very First Day at School, portrayed his youthful, fun and elated characterisation admirably and from the first scene with the children his portrayal was first-rate and very entertaining and had the audience in the palm of his hands from his entrance as the Narrator.
St Bernadette’s head teacher Mrs. Bevan and Critic Patrick Burns were outstandingly played by Niamh Abbott and Daniel Pimperton alongside praiseworthy performances from the small but perfectly formed adult cast.
Massive shout out to Crackers, Mr Madden’s dog played by Mollie Greaves, the director’s eleven year old dog – we thoroughly enjoyed seeing her on stage and couldn’t wait to get home to give our own pooch a cuddle!
Stealing the show however were the fantastic cast of children portraying the pupils of Oakmore School and St Bernadette’s Primary. Each of them strong individual characters, who brought their own talents to the fore. I could definitely predict that some of these children will make it onto a West End stage in the very near future – their facial expressions were second to none and their solos blew me away.
The staging is transformed from a small colourful classroom in Coventry to the glamour of Hollywood and then ultimately Coventry Cathedral. The scene changes were slick – credit to stage managers Pete Roberts, Chris Moss and the rest of the team.
The band were fantastic and added such a fantastic atmosphere for all of us in the audience – their timing was great and they made the show the fantastic hit that it was.
I thoroughly enjoyed this performance and rate it as 4/5. I would highly recommend all the family to go and watch it during it’s run at Derby Theatre until Sunday 12th November. Tickets start from £17.50.
Nativity! The Musical definitely brought Christmas cheer to me and my family.
Rating: 4/5
Nativity! The Musical