Stage Productions have produced some excellent musicals in recent times and their production of Nativity The Musical is another joy-filled offering that gives a heartwarming introduction to the festive season.
Based on the highly popular film it is the story of three young people who develop a keen friendship through their school days and all have ambitions to make a career in the world of show biz. Unfortunately, the three close friends Paul Maddens (Dan Booth), Gordon Shakespeare (Tom Pear) and Jennifer Lore (Leah Dowell) find that maturity does not improve the relationships when they attend drama school.
Maddens falls hopelessly in love with Lore but he is dealt a body blow when the love of his life accepts an offer to work in Hollywood. The male members of the trio discover that they are not good enough to pursue a theatrical career and enter the world of primary school teaching.
It is there that the final ties between Maddens and Shakespeare are broken as they become deadly rivals in the local Nativity contest. A devastatingly poor critique from Patrick Burns (Craig Armstrong) means that Maddens vows never to direct another play.
All of that is changed when Maddens’ Headteacher Mrs Bevans (Tracy Brought-Chesters) appoints him to produce another seasonal play with the help of the newly appointed Teaching Assistant Mr Poppy (James Dawe).
The lovely but rather batty newcomer has a completely different approach to life than the laid back teacher and enthuses the children to take part in the musical. When it slips out that Maddens has friends in high Hollywood places who might be persuaded to come to the performance then Mrs Bevans believes that St Bernadette’s Primary can find a way out of the special measures imposed by Ofsted.
Problems along the way mean that the proposed Nativity may be cancelled by the school as the high ups from Hollywood may not be interested in the high-flying ambitions of Poppy and Madden. But fear not. This is a feel good play that allows everything to come good in the end and the audience is able to join in the fun of a fabulous finale.
Dawe and Booth have an excellent chemistry on stage and the script and score allow the cast members to showcase their comedic and vocal talents with Dowell’s voice being especially notable.
The performances from the adult members of the cast were of top quality but the ensemble of 33 children stole the show. Jude Holmes and Henri Reynolds were prominent and showed that they have a future in musical theatre and Dottie Brown shone as a delightful star.
Many can be sniffy about productions from non-professional companies but Stage Productions have once again proved that they can provide hugely entertaining evenings. With the backing of a live band and excellent lighting not to mention beautiful backdrops and projections, the cast entertained in a manner that any theatrical company would be proud of. Well done all!!!
Nativity the Musical has a running time of approximately 2 hours 40 minutes including interval and continues until December 6th. For ticket information contact atgentertainment.com/stoke
