Debbie Isitt

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Debbie Isitt
Born1965or1966(age 57–58) [1]
Birmingham, England
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Writer, film director and performer
Known for Nativity! film series
SpouseNicky Ager
ChildrenSydney Isitt-Ager

Debbie Isitt (born 1965or1966) is an English comic writer, film director, screenwriter, composer, lyricist and performer.

Contents

Early life and education

Isitt was born in Birmingham. She went to Our Lady of Fatima Primary School and Lordswood Girls Secondary School. Later, she studied a two-year course at Coventry University, graduating in 1985. [1] [2]

Career

Isitt is best known for her Christmas comedy films, the Nativity! series, of which she has written and directed four to date. [3] Prior to that, she wrote BAFTA award-winning television adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson's book, The Illustrated Mum , [4] the stage play The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband , and the feature films Nasty Neighbours [5] and Confetti .

Earlier in her career, just after her graduation, she joined the Cambridge Experimental Theatre company and toured Europe for a year performing Shakespeare. She then founded the Snarling Beasties company and spent the next 15 years writing, directing and performing in plays they took around the world. In 2001, she adapted Dodie Smith’s The Hundred and One Dalmatians for the stage. [1]

Nativity! , Isitt's third feature film, starring Martin Freeman, was released in November 2009. It became the most successful British independent film of the year. The sequel, Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger , starred David Tennant. Released in November 2012, and was also a financial success, making twice the amount at the UK box office as the original. Two further sequels, Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey? and Nativity Rocks! , were released in 2014 and 2018 respectively. They were financial successes, but received mixed reviews from critics. [6]

In 2017, Isitt wrote, directed and composed the music for a stage musical based on the first film in the Nativity! with her partner Nicky Ager. Nativity! The Musical ran from 20th October until 6th January and starred Daniel Boys, Simon Lipkin and Sarah Earnshaw. [7] The show returned for a second tour in 2018. [8] Simon Lipkin returned in the lead role as Mr. Poppy, joined by Scott Garnham and Ashleigh Gray. [9] Garnham and Gray for a third tour in 2019, with Scott Paige playing the show's comic lead. However, Lipkin returned to reprise his role for the Hammersmith Apollo run of the show. [10] The musical ran at the Birmingham Rep for the 2022 Christmas season, after initially being postponed from 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [11]

Isitt also directed the ITV series Love and Marriage, and more recently wrote and directed the family comedy Christmas On Mistletoe Farm for Netflix. [12] [13] [14] The film stars Scott Garnham, Scott Paige and Kathryn Drysdale.

On 21 March 2023, it was announced that I Should Be So Lucky , a jukebox musical making use of the songs by Stock Aitken Waterman, was due to open later in the year at the Manchester Opera House and then proceed on a UK tour. The original story and script was written by Isitt and she will also direct the production. [15] [16]

Personal life

Isitt has a long-term partner, Nicky Ager, who works as the editor for her films as well as composing the music and writing the songs alongside Isitt. Together, they have a daughter, Sydney Isitt-Ager, who appeared in the first three Nativity films. [1] [17] [18]

Isitt was pregnant during filming for her first feature film - Nasty Neighbours - but she still completed the film, and took her then-two-month old to the Cannes Film Festival for the film's screening. [19]

Isitt is a cousin of the footballer Darren Wassall. [20]

Awards and Honours

In 2005, Isitt won a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay as well as an International Emmy for her work on The Illustrated Mum . [19]

Confetti received a nomination at The British Comedy Awards. [21]

Nativity! won two Richard Attenborough Film Awards and was also nominated as Best Breakthrough Movie at The National Movie Awards.

In 2023, Warwick University awarded Isitt an honorary doctorate for her work in championing the creative potential of the West Midlands. She is now a Doctor of Letters (DLitt). [22] [23]

Controversy

Actors Robert Webb and Olivia Colman publicly criticised the film Confetti upon release. [24] The pair play a couple of naturists planning their wedding, and claim they were misled about the amount of nudity involved in the film. [25] Webb said in an interview that Isitt had told them their genitals would all be pixelated in the final film, and was not aware until the screening that this was not the case. [26] [27] Colman and Webb started legal proceedings against the filmmaker, but these were eventually abandoned when the actors concluded it was too late and the lengthy process would prevent them from "pretending it didn't happen". [28]

Related Research Articles

Stock Aitken Waterman are an English songwriting and record production trio consisting of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. The trio had great success from the mid-1980s through to the early-1990s. SAW is considered one of the most successful songwriting and producing partnerships of all time by the Guinness World Records, scoring more than 100 UK Top 40 hits and earning an estimated £60 million in royalties. The trio had thirteen UK No. 1 singles including three consecutive UK No. 1's and three US No. 1 singles. They also had at least one record in the UK Top 100 Singles Chart every week between March 1986 and October 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Waterman</span> English record producer, songwriter, broadcaster, and railway enthusiast

Peter Alan Waterman is an English record producer, songwriter, and television personality. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman production and songwriting team, he co-wrote and co-produced many UK hit singles. An avid railway enthusiast, Waterman is the owner of significant collections of both historic and commercial railway locomotives and rolling stock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivia Colman</span> British actress (born 1974)

Sarah Caroline Sinclair, known professionally as Olivia Colman, is an English actress. She has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, four BAFTA Awards, two Emmy Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Jensen</span> Scottish actress and narrator (born 1969)

Ashley Jensen is a Scottish actress. She is best known for her roles as Maggie Jacobs in Extras, Christina McKinney in Ugly Betty (2006–2010), Agatha Raisin in Agatha Raisin (2014–present), and DI Ruth Calder in Shetland (2023–present).

<i>Confetti</i> (2006 film) 2006 British film

Confetti is a 2006 British mockumentary romantic comedy film released on 5 May 2006. It was conceived and directed by Debbie Isitt and stars many acclaimed British comedians, including Jessica Stevenson, Jimmy Carr, Martin Freeman, Mark Heap, Julia Davis, Robert Webb and Olivia Colman. It follows a bridal magazine competition for the most original wedding, the ultimate prize being a house, and the three couples who are chosen to compete. The film follows the contestants in a fly-on-the-wall documentary style, akin to The Office. The script was entirely improvised. The film was a box office success, grossing $4.9 million on a budget of $2 million.

Marc James Wootton is an English actor, comedian and writer. He is best known for his role as Mr Poppy in the Nativity! film series. He also starred in the television series High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman, La La Land, Nighty Night and voiced Max in Counterfeit Cat.

<i>Nativity!</i> 2009 British film by Debbie Isitt

Nativity! is a 2009 British Christmas musical comedy film directed by Debbie Isitt and released on 27 November 2009 and the first instalment in the Nativity film series. The film stars Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen. In the film, teacher Paul Maddens (Freeman) lies to his rival that Hollywood are coming to watch his school's Christmas nativity, but after the lie gets out of hand, he must resolve the issue fast. The film was written by its director, Debbie Isitt, but was also partially improvised. The film premiered on 23 November 2009 in the SkyDome Arena, Coventry, England.

<i>Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger</i> 2012 British film by Debbie Isitt

Nativity! 2: Danger in the Manger is a 2012 British Christmas comedy film written and directed by Debbie Isitt, an improvised Christmas comedy and the second instalment in the Nativity film series. The film focuses on Donald Peterson, an anxious primary school teacher, who embarks on a wild and heartwarming adventure with his class and teaching assistant, the childlike Mr Poppy, as they travel to Wales to perform in a Christmas singing competition.

Sarah Earnshaw is a British actress known for her work in musical theatre.

<i>Nativity 3: Dude, Wheres My Donkey?</i> 2014 British film by Debbie Isitt

Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?! is a 2014 British Christmas comedy film which serves as the third instalment of the Nativity film series and was directed by Debbie Isitt. It stars Martin Clunes, Marc Wootton, Catherine Tate with Celia Imrie and Jason Watkins. Like its predecessors, it was distributed by Entertainment One.

Jemma Churchill is an English television, theatre, film and radio actress, best known for her roles as Nanny Lyons in Upstairs Downstairs, and Ms Fellows in Waterloo Road.

<i>Nativity</i> (film series) English film series

The Nativity film series is an English film series of family Christmas films.

Simon Joshua Lipkin is an English actor, best known for his work in musical theatre. He has originated roles in several major West End musicals such as Avenue Q and Rock of Ages. His television work includes The Amazing World of Gumball and Doctor Who. He has acted in small roles in film as well as in the starring role in 2018 comedy Nativity Rocks!.

<i>Nativity! The Musical</i> 2017 stage musical written and directed by Debbie Isitt

Nativity! The Musical is a stage musical written and directed by Debbie Isitt, based on Isitt's 2009 film of the same name.

George Dyer is a British musical director, supervisor and orchestrator.

<i>Nativity Rocks!</i> 2018 British film by Debbie Isitt

Nativity Rocks! is a 2018 British Christmas comedy film and the fourth and final instalment of the Nativity film series by Debbie Isitt. It stars Simon Lipkin, Celia Imrie, Craig Revel Horwood, Helen George, Ruth Jones & Daniel Boys. Like its predecessors, it was distributed by Entertainment One. The only people who reprised their roles in this film were Celia Imrie and Jessica Hynes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danielle Steers</span> English stage actress and singer-songwriter.

Danielle Lauren Steers is an English stage actress and singer-songwriter. She is known for originating the role of Zahara in Bat Out of Hell: The Musical at the Manchester Opera House, as well as subsequently playing the role in various productions until 2019. She is also known for portraying Catherine Parr in Six at the Arts Theatre, Lyric Theatre and Vaudeville Theatre and portraying Lady in the 2022-23 UK Tour of The Cher Show. Her debut album The Future Ain't What It Used To Be was released in 2021.

TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] is a musical comedy by Harry Hill and Steve Brown based on the life of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair.

<i>Christmas on Mistletoe Farm</i> 2022 English film

Christmas On Mistletoe Farm is a 2022 British Christmas comedy musical film, written and directed by Debbie Isitt. It was released on Netflix on 23 November 2022.

<i>I Should Be So Lucky</i> (musical) British jukebox musical

I Should Be So Lucky is a British jukebox musical written by Debbie Isitt, which uses the music of the pop writing team Stock Aitken Waterman.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Moorhead, Joanna (16 December 2017). "From Coventry with love: Debbie Isitt's Nativity! story". The Guardian . Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  2. ↑ Rodger, James (9 August 2016). "15 people you (probably) didn't know studied in Coventry". Coventry Live. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  3. ↑ Black, Claire (13 November 2014). "Interview: Debbie Isitt - 'I'm proud to say we knocked Jim Carrey and Disney off their spot'". The Scotsman.
  4. ↑ "Children vote Shrek 2 best film". BBC News.
  5. ↑ "Debbie Isitt: Executive Profile". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014.
  6. ↑ Young, Graham (17 November 2014). "Coventry film director Debbie Isitt hits back after Nativity 3 is panned by critics". Coventry Telegraph . Retrieved 1 December 2014. Distributors Entertainment One commissioned a third movie after Nativity 2 grossed more than £10million in the UK alone.
  7. ↑ "Casting announced for Nativity! The Musical | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  8. ↑ "Nativity! to return for UK tour and London run in 2018 | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  9. ↑ Wilma (7 September 2018). "Cast announced for the UK Tour of NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL". West End Wilma. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  10. ↑ "Nativity the musical announces London cast for Christmas 2019". British Theatre. 11 September 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  11. ↑ Mullen, Enda (16 January 2022). "Nativity the Musical is returning in 2022". CoventryLive. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  12. ↑ "Love And Marriage - Production Details". comedy.co.uk. British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  13. ↑ Kendall, Paul (5 June 2013). "Love and Marriage, ITV, review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "Netflix gets into the Christmas spirit early with announcing new family film". Paudal. 26 October 2022. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  15. ↑ "I Should Be So Lucky, based on the catalogue of Stock Aitken Waterman hits, to premiere this autumn | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  16. ↑ "Stock Aitken Waterman musical I Should Be So Lucky to open this year". The Stage. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  17. ↑ "Nicky Ager". Birmingham Rep. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  18. ↑ "Nativity transformations: Here's what the child cast of the iconic film look like now". The Tab. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  19. 1 2 Admin (29 July 2015). "Testimonial: Debbie Isitt". Raising Films. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  20. ↑ "The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband being served up at Oldbury Rep". Halesowen News. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  21. ↑ Arnold, Lewis (21 August 2020). "Debbie Isitt". Directors Now. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  22. ↑ "award-winning_film_director". warwick.ac.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  23. ↑ "List of all Honorary Graduates and Chancellor's Medallists". warwick.ac.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  24. ↑ 10 questions for Mitchell & Webb Archived 31 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine , from That Mitchell & Webb Log; originally featured on the BBC Two web site.
  25. ↑ Dempster, Sarah (18 June 2007). "'Fame is quite scary'". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  26. ↑ "BBC One - The Graham Norton Show, Series 6, Episode 2". Bbc.co.uk. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  27. ↑ "Mitchell and Webb's Rants on Smoking, Coffee and Nudists - The Graham Norton Show Preview - BBC One". YouTube. 9 October 2009. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  28. ↑ Hattenstone, Simon (9 September 2011). "Olivia Colman takes on the Tyrannosaur". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
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