Nativity! The Musical
15th - 19th November 2017
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
15th - 19th November 2017
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Nativity! The Musical is making it's Christmassy presence known at the Cliffs Pavilion this week, just a few weeks before it hits the West End on 13th December at Eventim Apollo on its national tour.
The musical has been written, directed and co-composed by the creator of the original Nativity film, Debbie Isitt, who has done the most wonderful job of transferring it to the stage. Anyone who knows the film will be familiar with the characters of Mr Maddens and his teaching assistant, Mr Poppy. St Bernadette's School are attempting to put on a school nativity, one that will outshine the rival posh school which always wins the best reviews year after year from local newspaper critic, Patrick Burns. Only trouble is, Mr Maddens has told a whopper of a lie and led Mr Shakespeare at the rival school to believe that a Hollywood producer is coming to see the show to turn it into a film.
Now anyone who knows me will tell you that I do not 'do' Christmas until December. I am the biggest humbug when it comes to any type of pre-December Christmassy goings on: shops displaying their Christmas wares way before December, the playing of Christmas music in stores or on the radio; and don't even get me started on certain friends who are boasting that they've bought, wrapped and labelled all their Christmas presents already....just don't.....However, I have to confess that Nativity! the Musical, has put paid to that this year.
This is a show that will have you chuckling from the pre-show "please turn off your mobile phones" announcement, right through to the final curtain bows and is an absolute delight from beginning to end. Every character in the show has been perfectly cast and the children are all sensational. (I saw the Blue Team).
Mr Maddens, (the part played by Martin Freeman in the film) is played superbly by Daniel Boys, full of pathos and completely endearing. Sarah Earnshaw (click for interview) brings her sensational vocal skills to the fore in the role of Jennifer Lore and Jamie Chapman channels his inner Alan Carr, for the part of critic, Patrick Burns and, it has to be said, is equally as hilarious as his counterpart was in the film. Jemma Churchill also gives a lovely performance as Mrs Bevan, the head teacher, who just for once wants her school to get noticed for its achievements.
The stand out role comes from Simon Lipkin who absolutely seizes the role of the loveably childlike, Mr Poppy and will have children and adults alike laughing out loud at his on stage antics and tom foolery. How the other performers manage to keep a straight face in some parts of the show, I don't know, but this really is the most brilliantly characterised performance.
The musical has been written, directed and co-composed by the creator of the original Nativity film, Debbie Isitt, who has done the most wonderful job of transferring it to the stage. Anyone who knows the film will be familiar with the characters of Mr Maddens and his teaching assistant, Mr Poppy. St Bernadette's School are attempting to put on a school nativity, one that will outshine the rival posh school which always wins the best reviews year after year from local newspaper critic, Patrick Burns. Only trouble is, Mr Maddens has told a whopper of a lie and led Mr Shakespeare at the rival school to believe that a Hollywood producer is coming to see the show to turn it into a film.
Now anyone who knows me will tell you that I do not 'do' Christmas until December. I am the biggest humbug when it comes to any type of pre-December Christmassy goings on: shops displaying their Christmas wares way before December, the playing of Christmas music in stores or on the radio; and don't even get me started on certain friends who are boasting that they've bought, wrapped and labelled all their Christmas presents already....just don't.....However, I have to confess that Nativity! the Musical, has put paid to that this year.
This is a show that will have you chuckling from the pre-show "please turn off your mobile phones" announcement, right through to the final curtain bows and is an absolute delight from beginning to end. Every character in the show has been perfectly cast and the children are all sensational. (I saw the Blue Team).
Mr Maddens, (the part played by Martin Freeman in the film) is played superbly by Daniel Boys, full of pathos and completely endearing. Sarah Earnshaw (click for interview) brings her sensational vocal skills to the fore in the role of Jennifer Lore and Jamie Chapman channels his inner Alan Carr, for the part of critic, Patrick Burns and, it has to be said, is equally as hilarious as his counterpart was in the film. Jemma Churchill also gives a lovely performance as Mrs Bevan, the head teacher, who just for once wants her school to get noticed for its achievements.
The stand out role comes from Simon Lipkin who absolutely seizes the role of the loveably childlike, Mr Poppy and will have children and adults alike laughing out loud at his on stage antics and tom foolery. How the other performers manage to keep a straight face in some parts of the show, I don't know, but this really is the most brilliantly characterised performance.
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Of course the show's main focus is all about the children and their efforts to put on their Christmas Nativity and every child in this production takes to the stage like a pro and will undoubtedly win hearts, in what are some pretty big roles to play.
The show is filled with fabulous sets, special effects, clever use of projections, great costumes and some really catchy musical numbers, some of which you will recognise from the film version as well as some new ones. It is jam packed full of fun, laughter and energy as well as producing some sentimental moments which may have you wiping a tear from your eye, but certainly not for long as the joy and spirit of the Christmas Nativity will have you clapping and tapping your feet all the way to the finale.
Every bit as good as the film, this show really is the perfect pre-curser to Christmas and yes, even though it's still only November, I couldn't fail to leave the auditorium with a huge beam on my face. For the ultimate feel-good show this one is right up there with the best and is definitely one that you will want to go back and see again and again. (That's a hint by the way...)
Grab your tickets from www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135 - there are 2 shows on Saturday and Sunday! Don't miss out!
Review: Kim Tobin
The show is filled with fabulous sets, special effects, clever use of projections, great costumes and some really catchy musical numbers, some of which you will recognise from the film version as well as some new ones. It is jam packed full of fun, laughter and energy as well as producing some sentimental moments which may have you wiping a tear from your eye, but certainly not for long as the joy and spirit of the Christmas Nativity will have you clapping and tapping your feet all the way to the finale.
Every bit as good as the film, this show really is the perfect pre-curser to Christmas and yes, even though it's still only November, I couldn't fail to leave the auditorium with a huge beam on my face. For the ultimate feel-good show this one is right up there with the best and is definitely one that you will want to go back and see again and again. (That's a hint by the way...)
Grab your tickets from www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135 - there are 2 shows on Saturday and Sunday! Don't miss out!
Review: Kim Tobin
Ask the Audience
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Debra Henstock, Billericay, 57
"When my friend asked me to come to the show, I thought, actually, it was a bit of an odd thing for an adult to go to but it was absolutely fabulous. Really energetic and it will be really great when it goes to the West End. It's a great Christmas show to see. It reminded me of a Christmas Matilda. The children were fantastic!" |
Celia Riley, 60, Thorpe Bay
"I've seen the film and thoroughly enjoyed it so I thought I'd come and see the musical. It was absolutely superb. The enthusiasm was catching. It was absolutely joyous and everyone has come out with a smile on their face. The jokes were funny, the singing was brilliant, the children were brilliant, the costumes were fantastic and so was the staging. Absolutely loved it all!" |
Chris Nolan, 61, Rayleigh
"I thought it was brilliant. A really feel good show, you came out tapping your feet and singing and feeling really Christmassy. It was lovely!" |
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Matilda Berry, 5, Westcliff on Sea
"I loved it, It was really funny, my favourite bit was when the star was flying as it was so pretty." Zoe Berry, Westcliff on Sea "It was absolutely brilliant. Just like the film. Daniel Boys and the cast of kids were just fantastic. Simon Lipkin totally smashed it as Mr Poppy. If you love the film you won't be disappointed." |
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For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
For more info about Nativity! the Musical click the show's website www.nativitythemusical.com
For more info about Nativity! the Musical click the show's website www.nativitythemusical.com