Nativity! The Musical

Last updated

Nativity!
The Musical
Nativity! The Musical Poster.jpg
Official artwork
Music Debbie Isitt
Nicky Ager
LyricsDebbie Isitt
Nicky Ager
Book Debbie Isitt
Basis Nativity!
2009 film by Debbie Isitt
Premiere20 October 2017 (2017-10-20): Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Productions2017 UK tour
2018 UK tour
2019 UK tour
2022 Birmingham

Nativity! The Musical is a stage musical written and directed by Debbie Isitt (co-composed by Nicky Ager), based on Isitt's 2009 film of the same name (part of the Nativity film series).

Contents

The musical follows a Coventry based primary school, St Bernadette's, where teacher Mr Maddens and his assistant, Mr Poppy mount a musical version of the nativity with the students, promising it will be adapted into a Hollywood movie. The musical features songs from the film including "Sparkle and Shine", "Nazareth", "One Night One Moment" and "She's The Brightest Star".

Production history

World premiere: Birmingham and UK tour (2017)

The musical made its world premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 20 October to 12 November 2017, before touring to Southend Cliffs Pavilion (15 to 19 November), Sheffield Lyceum Theatre (22 to 26 November), Manchester Palace Theatre (29 November to 3 December), Plymouth Theatre Royal (6 to 10 December), London's Eventim Apollo (13 to 17 December) and Leeds Grand Theatre (20 December to 6 January 2018)

The production was directed by Isitt, choreographed by Andrew Wright, with musical arrangements and orchestrations by George Dyer (who is also Musical Supervisor), designed by David Woodhead and produced by Jamie Wilson, Entertainment One, Ramin Sabi, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. [1] [2]

On 2 May 2017, the principal cast was announced including Daniel Boys as Mr Maddens, Sarah Earnshaw as Jennifer Lore and Simon Lipkin as Mr Poppy (who previously appeared as 'Chief Elf' in Nativity 3: Dude Where's My Donkey?! ). [3] [4] The X Factor judge Louis Walsh appeared as Hollywood Producer during the production's run at London's Eventim Apollo. [5]

UK tour (2018)

A second tour in the United Kingdom began at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry (the city where the story is set and the film was shot) from 23 to 28 October 2018. Further tour dates included Liverpool Empire (31 October to 4 November), King's Theatre Glasgow (7 to 11 November), Milton Keynes Theatre (14 to 18 November), Nottingham Theatre Royal (21 to 25 November), Edinburgh Festival Theatre (28 November to 2 December), Regent Theatre Stoke-on-Trent (5 to 8 December) Oxford New Theatre (12 to 15 December) and returning to London's Eventim Apollo (19 to 31 December).

On 7 September 2018, it was announced that Simon Lipkin would reprise his role as Mr Poppy, alongside many other members of the original cast. Scott Garnham and Ashleigh Gray were announced to play Mr Maddens and Jennifer Lore. It was also announced that the role of the Hollywood Producer would vary in each tour location.

Jake Wood appeared in Oxford, Adam Thomas will appear in Stoke and Liverpool, Charlie Brooks appeared in Nottingham, Jane McCarry appeared in Glasgow and Danny Dyer appeared in London. [6] Jo Brand also appeared as The Critic in Edinburgh and London. It was also announced that Dani Dyer, winner of the 2018 series of Love Island , appeared during the London dates with her father Danny Dyer as Polly Parker, the daughter of the Hollywood Producer who is an aspiring Hollywood actress.

UK tour (2019)

The musical toured the United Kingdom once again, beginning at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 29 October to 2 November 2019 before touring to Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (6 to 9 November), Cantebury Marlowe Theatre (13 to 17 November), Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (19 to 23 November), Plymouth Theatre Royal (26 to 30 November) and Southampton Mayflower Theatre (3 to 7 December) before returning for a third season to London's Eventim Apollo (11 to 29 December). [7]

Scott Paige played Mr Poppy for the tour opposite Scott Garnham and Ashleigh Gray who returned as Mr Maddens and Jennifer Lore, alongside Danni Dyer as Polly Parker who appeared for the tour.

Simon Lipkin reprised his role as Mr Poppy for the London run (and stepped in to cover the role during the Southampton run for Paige due to illness) while Paige played Mr Rye. The London run also featured Rylan Clark-Neal as The Critic, Sharon Osbourne as Crystal Collins and Danny Dyer returning as the Hollywood Producer.

Birmingham (2022)

The musical was announced to return to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre for the Christmas 2020 season. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the run was postponed to the Christmas 2021 season, before being postponed again to Christmas 2022, when it ran from 19 November 2022 to 7 January 2023 starring Ben Lancaster as Mr. Poppy and Billy Roberts as Mr. Maddens alongside Daisy Steere as Jennifer. This production also saw the return of Jemma Churchill as Mrs. Bevan who, after appearing in the original and 2018 productions, took a year off from the show in 2019. [8]

Cast and characters

CharacterUK tourBirmingham
2017201820192022
Mr Poppy Simon Lipkin Scott Paige
Simon Lipkin (Southampton u/s, London)
Ben Lancaster
Paul Maddens Daniel Boys Scott Garnham Billy Roberts
Jennifer Lore Sarah Earnshaw Ashleigh Gray Daisy Steere
Gordon ShakespeareAndy BradyCharles BruntonMatthew Rowland
Mrs Bevan Jemma Churchill Penelope Woodman Jemma Churchill
The CriticJamie ChapmanJamie Chapman
Jo Brand (Edinburgh, London)
Jamie Chapman
Rylan Clark-Neal (London)
Jamie Chapman
Hollywood ProducerAndy Barke
Louis Walsh (London)
Andy Barke (Coventry, Milton Keynes, Edinburgh)
Jake Wood (Oxford)
Adam Thomas (Liverpool, Stoke)
Charlie Brooks (Nottingham)
Jane McCarry (Glasgow)
Danny Dyer (London)
Dani Dyer (as Polly Parker in Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Plymouth, Southampton),
Dawn Buckland (as Polly Parker in Aylesbury, Canterbury)
Danny Dyer (as Harry Parker in London)
Cameron Johnson
Polly Parker Dani Dyer (Character only appeared in London)
Crystal Collins Sharon Osbourne (Character only appeared in London)
The Lord Mayor / EnsembleGary DavisJonathan BourneRalph Bogard
Miss/Mr Rye / EnsembleKatia SartiniOscar Conlon-MorreyKade Ferriaolo,
Scott Paige (London)
Tom Hext
TJ's MumJalisa AndrewsHelena PipeEliza Waters
EnsembleJennifer Louise JonesHelena PipeHelena Pipe,
Billy Roberts,
Dawn Buckland (Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Plymouth, Southampton)
On Stage SwingDerek AidooKade FerraioloConnor Ewing,
Kade Ferraiolo
Callum Train
Sydney Isitt-Ager
Louie Wood
Jalisa AndrewsAshleigh GrahamAmy Oxley

In order to accommodate a variety of star casting, various versions of Nativity! The Musical exist;

Musical numbers

Cast recording

The original cast recording was released on 29 January 2018 and features 29 tracks. It is available from Amazon, YouTube Music, iTunes, Spotify and Apple Music, and was available to purchase from the merchandise stands during the subsequent tours.

Critical reception

The production received positive reviews from local press in Birmingham, receiving five stars from Plays To See, [9] Behind The Arras, [10] Birmingham Mail [11] and What's On Birmingham [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Kemp</span> English actor and musician

Gary James Kemp is an English songwriter, musician and actor, best known as the lead guitarist, backing vocalist, and principal songwriter for the new wave band Spandau Ballet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hammersmith Apollo</span> Live entertainment venue in Hammersmith, London

The Hammersmith Apollo, currently called the Eventim Apollo for sponsorship reasons, and formerly known as the Hammersmith Odeon, is a live entertainment performance venue, originally built as a cinema called the Gaumont Palace. Located in Hammersmith, London, it is an art deco Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruthie Henshall</span> English entertainer (born 1967)

Valentine Ruth Henshall, known professionally as Ruthie Henshall, is an English actress, singer and dancer, known for her work in musical theatre. She began her professional stage career in 1986, before making her West End debut in Cats in 1987. A five-time Olivier Award nominee, she won the 1995 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Amalia Balash in the London revival of She Loves Me (1994).

Nigel Derek Harman is an English actor. Beginning his career as a child actor, he has played various roles across theatre, stage and television, including as Sky Masterson in Michael Grandage's revival of Guys and Dolls and as Lord Farquaad in the original London production of Shrek the Musical, for which he received an Olivier Award.

Harold Owen "Gary" Wilmot, MBE is a British singer, actor, comedian, presenter, writer and director who rose to fame as a contestant on New Faces. As a television presenter, he is best known as the host of You and Me, So You Want To Be Top and Showstoppers. His West End credits include Me and My Girl, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Prince of Egypt, and Wicked.

Debbie Isitt is an English comic writer, film director, composer and performer.

Daniel Boys is an English actor. He starred in the West End productions of the musicals Rent and Grease before being a 2007 contestant on the BBC talent series Any Dream Will Do. Boys went on to star in many more musicals including Avenue Q, Spamalot, Falsettos and Hamilton.

<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>Matilda the Musical</i> 2011 musical by Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly

Roald Dahl's Matilda, also known simply as Matilda and Matilda the Musical, is a musical with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly. It is based on the 1988 novel Matilda by Roald Dahl. The musical's narrative centres on Matilda Wormwood, a precocious five-year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis, who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life. After a twelve-week trial run staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at Stratford-upon-Avon from November 2010 to January 2011, it received its West End premiere on 24 November 2011 at the Cambridge Theatre and its Broadway premiere on 11 April 2013 at the Shubert Theatre.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Garnham</span> English actor

Scott Garnham is an English actor. Notable credits include Billy Elliot The Musical, Les Misérables, Made in Dagenham directed by Rupert Goold, and Pompidou by Matt Lucas for the BBC.

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Rolyat</span>

Dan Rolyat, born Herbert Taylor, was an English actor and singer. After an apprenticeship with a touring company he was engaged by the impresarios George Edwardes and Robert Courtneidge to play comic roles in musical comedy. He also played in variety shows and, later in his career, in farce.

<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.

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

Simon Lipkin is a British 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!.

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.

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. BWW News Desk. "NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL 2017 to Head Out on UK Tour Next Autumn". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  2. "Stage musical of Nativity! to open next year". The Stage. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  3. "Casting announced for Nativity! The Musical". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  4. "Nativity! The Musical – Daniel Boys, Sarah Earnshaw and Simon Lipkin cast". musicaltheatrereview.com. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  5. "Louis Walsh to make stage debut in Nativity! The Musical – BBC Newsbeat". BBC Newsbeat. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  6. "Simon Lipkin returns to Nativity the Musical for Christmas 2018" . Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  7. BWW News Desk. "NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL Announces 2019 UK Tour". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  8. ""Nativity! The Musical" announces casting for 2022 run". 19 October 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  9. "Nativity! The Musical | Plays To See". Plays To See. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  10. "Nativity The Musical". www.behindthearras.com. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  11. Laws, Roz (26 October 2017). "Nativity! The Musical is packed with joy at Birmingham Rep". birminghammail. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  12. "Nativity! The Musical". www.whatsonlive.co.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2017.