Nativity! The Musical

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).

Nativity!
The Musical
Official artwork
MusicDebbie Isitt
Nicky Ager
LyricsDebbie Isitt
Nicky Ager
BookDebbie Isitt
BasisNativity!
2009 film by Debbie Isitt
Premiere20 October 2017 (2017-10-20): Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Productions2017 UK tour
2018 UK tour
2019 UK tour
2021 Birmingham

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

2017 UK tour

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, making his stage debut.[5]

2018 UK tour

A second tour in the United Kingdom began 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 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 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 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 series of Love Island (2018), 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.

2019 UK tour

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.

2021 Birmingham

The musical was announced to return to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre (where it made its world premiere) during the Christmas 2020 season, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic the run has been postponed to the Christmas 2021 season from 16 November 2021 to 2 January 2022.[8]

Cast and characters
Character 2017 tour 2018 tour 2019 tour
Mr Poppy Simon Lipkin Scott Paige
Simon Lipkin (Southampton - cover, London)
Paul Maddens Daniel Boys Scott Garnham
Jennifer Lore Sarah Earnshaw Ashleigh Gray
Gordon Shakespeare Andy Brady Charles Brunton
Mrs Beaven Jemma Churchill Penelope Woodman
The Critic Jamie Chapman Jamie Chapman
Jo Brand (Edinburgh/London)		 Jamie Chapman
Rylan Clark-Neal (London)
Hollywood Producer Andy 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)
Polly Parker did not appear Dani Dyer (Character only appeared in London) Dani Dyer (Character only appeared in London)
Crystal Collins did not appear Sharon Osbourne (Character only appeared in London)
The Lord Mayor / Ensemble Gary Davis Jonathan Bourne
Miss/Mr Rye / Ensemble Katia Sartini Oscar Conlon-Morrey Kade Ferriaolo,
Scott Paige (London)
Ensemble Jennifer Louise Jones Helena Pipe Helena Pipe,
Billy Roberts,
Dawn Buckland (Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Plymouth, Southampton)
On Stage Swing Derek Aidoo Kade Ferraiolo Connor Ewing,
Kade Ferraiolo (London)
Jalisa Andrews Ashleigh Graham Amy Oxley

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

  • Regular version, where the Hollywood Producer's role is minimal.
  • Second version, where the Hollywood Producer's role is expanded and includes a daughter, Polly Parker.
  • Third version, where the Hollywood Producer's role is filled by the character Polly Parker.
  • Fourth version, where the Hollywood Producer's role is expanded and includes a daughter, Polly Parker and the role of Crystal Collins is created, the CEO of the company the Producer works for.

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, 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]

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". 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. Desk, BWW News. "NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL Announces 2019 UK Tour". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
  8. Desk, BWW News. "The REP Announces The Postponement Of NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  9. "Nativity! The Musical | Plays To See". Plays To See. 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  10. "Nativity The Musical". www.behindthearras.com. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  11. Laws, Roz (2017-10-26). "Nativity! The Musical is packed with joy at Birmingham Rep". birminghammail. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  12. "Nativity! The Musical". www.whatsonlive.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
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