Nativity! The Musical

Nativity!
The Musical
Official artwork
Music Debbie Isitt
Nicky Ager
Lyrics Debbie Isitt
Nicky Ager
Book Debbie Isitt
Basis Nativity! (2009)
Premiere 20 October 2017 (2017-10-20): Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Productions 2017 UK tour
2018 UK tour

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). 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". The musical premiered at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in October 2017, before touring the United Kingdom over the festive period.

Production

Original UK tour production (2017–18)

The musical was announced on 17 November 2016, to make 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 is directed by Isitt, choreographed by Andrew Wright, 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, making his stage debut.[5]

Second UK tour (2018)

A second tour in the United Kingdom will begin at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry (the city where the story is set and film was shot) from 23 to 28 October 2018. Further tour dates include 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 may 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 Hollywood Producer would vary in each tour location. Jake Wood will be appearing in Oxford, Adam Thomas will appear in Stoke and Liverpool, Charlie Brooks will appear in Nottingham, Jane McCarry will appear in Glasgow and Danny Dyer will appear in London.[6] Jo Brand will also appear as The Critic in Edinburgh and London. It was also announced that Dani Dyer, winner of the 2018 series of Love Island, will appear during the London dates with her father Danny Dyer as Polly Parker, the daughter of the Hollywood Producer who is an aspiring Hollywood actress.

Cast and characters

Character Original Cast 2018 UK tour
Mr Poppy Simon Lipkin
Paul Maddens Daniel Boys Scott Garnham
Jennifer Lore Sarah Earnshaw Ashleigh Gray
Gordon Shakespeare Andy Brady
Mrs Beaven Jemma Churchill
Patrick Burns/The Critic Jamie Chapman Jamie Chapman
Jo Brand (Edinburgh/London)
Hollywood Producer Andy Barke
Louis Walsh (London)		 Andy Barke (Coventry/Edinburgh)
Jake Wood (Oxford)
Adam Thomas (Liverpool/Milton Keynes/Stoke)
Charlie Brooks (Nottingham)
Jane McCarry (Glasgow)
Danny Dyer (London)
Polly Parker Dani Dyer (London only)
The Lord Mayor / Ensemble Gary Davis
Miss/Mr Rye / Ensemble Katia Sartini Oscar Conlon-Morrey
Ensemble Jennifer Louise Jones Helena Pipe
On Stage Swing Derek Aidoo Kade Ferraiolo
Jalisa Andrews Ashleigh Graham

Musical numbers

Cast recording

The original cast recording was released on 29 January 2018, and features 29 tracks. It is available from Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and Apple Music.

Critical reception

The production received positive reviews from local press in Birmingham, receiving five stars from Plays To See,[7] Behind The Arras,[8] Birmingham Mail[9] and What's On Birmingham[10]

References

  1. ↑ Desk, BWW News. "NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL 2017 to Head Out on UK Tour Next Autumn". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  2. ↑ "Stage musical of Nativity! to open next year | News | The Stage". The Stage. 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  3. ↑ "Casting announced for Nativity! The Musical". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  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. 2017-12-10. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  6. ↑ "Simon Lipkin returns to Nativity the Musical for Christmas 2018". Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  7. ↑ "Nativity! The Musical | Plays To See". Plays To See. 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  8. ↑ "Nativity The Musical". www.behindthearras.com. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  9. ↑ Laws, Roz (2017-10-26). "Nativity! The Musical is packed with joy at Birmingham Rep". birminghammail. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  10. ↑ "Nativity! The Musical". www.whatsonlive.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
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