As a last minute Christmas trip, I travelled up to Leeds to see Nativity!, a new musical based on the film of the same name.
I love the film, had heard a lot of good things about the show and decided it needed to happen. I was not disappointed.
Nativity! is set in a failing primary school, St. Bernadette's. Mrs Bevan (Jemma Churchill), the long suffering head teacher, puts Mr Maddens (Daniel Boys) in charge of putting on the annual Christmas nativity. There's only one problem. He hates Christmas.
Then in comes Mr Poppy (Simon Lipkin), the irresponsible, child-like nephew of Mrs Bevan, who has enough Christmas spirit for everyone. However, after overhearing Mr Maddens boasting to an old friend and now rival teacher at the nearby private school, Gordon Shakespeare (Andy Brady), Mr Poppy let's the whole school know that Hollywood is coming in the form of Mr Maddens ex-girlfriend, Jennifer (at this performance, played by Jennifer Louise Jones), not realising it was all a lie... and disaster ensues!
The cast of children 'sparkle and shined' and I particularly felt for the character of Oli (played at this performance by Alexander Hogg), whose parents were in the process of splitting up and who wouldn't come to see the show if he wasn't Joseph.
One of my favourite scenes in the show was the children's letters to Santa, told through song and resulting in Mr Madden's sobbing at their wishes which include parents coming to see them, getting the lead part in the play and the hope that Mr Maddens enjoys Christmas and his broken heart is mended.
Boys and Lipkin, as Maddens and Poppy, are a perfect double act and Lipkin steals the show on more than one occasion. He makes Mr Poppy his own, all whilst keeping the characteristics that make him so lovable in the film.
The scene where Mr Poppy makes Mr Maddens phone Jennifer is a particular highlight and both Boys and Lipkin had the audience in stitches at multiple times throughout.
One of the most clever moments of the production comes in act two, when Mr Shakespeare, played brilliantly by Brady, who brings just the correct amount of eccentricity to the role, cuts off the power supply. The audience are given permission to take out their phones and asked to light the stage with their torches. The effect was mesmerising and One Night, One Moment was sang beautifully during this section.
This show brings lots of laughs and has moments of sadness but overall is full of Christmas cheer and that's all you can ask for at Christmas!
Nativity! is currently playing at Leeds Grand Theatre until 6th January.
It tours again from 23rd October - 31st December 2018 at various venues around the UK and tickets are available now.
I love the film, had heard a lot of good things about the show and decided it needed to happen. I was not disappointed.
Nativity! is set in a failing primary school, St. Bernadette's. Mrs Bevan (Jemma Churchill), the long suffering head teacher, puts Mr Maddens (Daniel Boys) in charge of putting on the annual Christmas nativity. There's only one problem. He hates Christmas.
Then in comes Mr Poppy (Simon Lipkin), the irresponsible, child-like nephew of Mrs Bevan, who has enough Christmas spirit for everyone. However, after overhearing Mr Maddens boasting to an old friend and now rival teacher at the nearby private school, Gordon Shakespeare (Andy Brady), Mr Poppy let's the whole school know that Hollywood is coming in the form of Mr Maddens ex-girlfriend, Jennifer (at this performance, played by Jennifer Louise Jones), not realising it was all a lie... and disaster ensues!
The cast of children 'sparkle and shined' and I particularly felt for the character of Oli (played at this performance by Alexander Hogg), whose parents were in the process of splitting up and who wouldn't come to see the show if he wasn't Joseph.
One of my favourite scenes in the show was the children's letters to Santa, told through song and resulting in Mr Madden's sobbing at their wishes which include parents coming to see them, getting the lead part in the play and the hope that Mr Maddens enjoys Christmas and his broken heart is mended.
Boys and Lipkin, as Maddens and Poppy, are a perfect double act and Lipkin steals the show on more than one occasion. He makes Mr Poppy his own, all whilst keeping the characteristics that make him so lovable in the film.
The scene where Mr Poppy makes Mr Maddens phone Jennifer is a particular highlight and both Boys and Lipkin had the audience in stitches at multiple times throughout.
One of the most clever moments of the production comes in act two, when Mr Shakespeare, played brilliantly by Brady, who brings just the correct amount of eccentricity to the role, cuts off the power supply. The audience are given permission to take out their phones and asked to light the stage with their torches. The effect was mesmerising and One Night, One Moment was sang beautifully during this section.
This show brings lots of laughs and has moments of sadness but overall is full of Christmas cheer and that's all you can ask for at Christmas!
Nativity! is currently playing at Leeds Grand Theatre until 6th January.
It tours again from 23rd October - 31st December 2018 at various venues around the UK and tickets are available now.