REVIEW
Southend Operatic and Dramatic Society’s present
Nativity! The Musical
Palace Theatre
Westcliff-on-Sea
15-18 November 2023
Southend Operatic and Dramatic Society’s present
Nativity! The Musical
Palace Theatre
Westcliff-on-Sea
15-18 November 2023
It’s time to sparkle and shine as Southend Operatic & Dramatic Society (SODS) bring a touch of Christmas cheer to the Palace Theatre this week.
The well known and beloved Christmas musical is written and co-composed by the creator of the original Nativity film, Debbie Isitt. 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.
Simon Lambert has taken on a huge task in directing this whopper of a show, with its large cast of adults, children and not forgetting the dog, who all have to be carefully interwoven between many scene and costume changes. Stage Manager, and DSM, Matt Brown and Hannah Broad may possibly need a lie down and an egg nog at the end of each show.
This SODS production has been perfectly cast with Michael James seizing the role of Mr Poppy, who has come to help Mr Maddens put on the school nativity and who is still very much a child at heart. It’s hilarious, yet often in parts exhausting, watching him win the adoration of the children although his wind up ways could possibly test the patience of a saint, let alone Mr Maddens. As the show progresses it’s endearing to see the character develop into the bones of what Mr Poppy is all about. This actor has clearly worked hard on becoming this character and has no problem drawing plenty of laugh out loud moments from the audience.
Nick Bright as the lovelorn and frustrated teacher, Mr Maddens, has the difficult job of having to be the straight man to Mr Poppy’s childish antics and does a great job keeping a calm face amongst the mayhem that frequently ensues with a nicely performed portrayal.
On the opposing end of the scale we have the somewhat demonic teacher of rival posh school, Gordon Shakespeare, who is fiercely ambitious for his own school’s Christmas production to win rave reviews from theatre critic, Patrick Burns. Jonny Buxton pulls off a corker of a performance in this brilliantly funny role as the teacher hell bent on winning a 5 star review for his school’s show and Ross Howard as Burns does a great turn in the role played by Alan Carr so hilariously in the film. Charlotte Bedford gets the opportunity to show off some impressive vocals as Mr Maddens’ ex-girlfriend, Jennifer, not least in the song she sings to Mrs Parker, Jennifers Plea.
There’s also some nice cameo performances from Les Cannon as the Mayor of Coventry and Dick Davies as a cheeky priest and let’s not forget the ensemble who are constantly on and off stage in various guises, for their supporting roles.
Nativity! The Musical, is of course centred on the children and their journeys from feeling as if they’re no good to becoming, literally, the 'stars' of their own nativity play. Here, Southend Operatic have found some outstanding youngsters to fill the roles. The wonderful thing about children is that they are like little sponges and these kids have more than soaked up the direction and choreography that has been given to them. Team Sparkle on opening night produced heartwarmingly believable performances throughout the show, alongside plenty of comical moments too. (I am sure that Team Shine who appear on alternate nights will be equally as awesome!) MD, James Green, has clearly worked his magic with the children, producing some lovely vocals from them as well as great dance moves from choreographer, Eleasha Hammond; no easy task, I’m sure, with 25 children to keep in line. I adored the children’s rendition of Dear Father Christmas towards the end of Act 1 where Mr Maddens gets to hear their Christmas letter wishes; and children who dance during the number, Suddenly, the duet between Mr Maddens and Jennifer in Act 2, also do a wonderful job.
Adding to the cute factor is the addition of Rosie who plays Cracker the dog. I must confess that it didn’t look as though Rosie was entirely comfortable being up on the stage and it was a little distracting worrying about whether this was really necessary. I’d hate to think that Rosie wasn’t having fun and hope she gets lots of treats in lieu of her appearance fee.
Act 1 is a rather long 90 minutes and Act 2 just around an hour, so if you’re bringing children be prepared for some possible fidgeting. That said, Act 2 picks up more of a tempo kicking off with a fabulous, fast paced and cleverly moved Hollywood skit. I loved Tony the receptionist bashing away at his laptop, played by Charlie Evans-Rouse in a lovely OTT characterisation of a busy PA and Herod! The Rock Opera performed by Mr Shakespeare and the Oakmoor Children is certainly not one to be missed.
The concluding scenes of the Nativity production are fabulously chaotic and I take my hat off to the cast for making it look so seamless with a constant turnaround of incoming scenery and numerous costume changes for the kids. Massive kudos to the Wardrobe Team, Lynsey Jackson, Tammy Brown and Sarah Mayes for some really outstanding costumes in this show. The Nazareth number, Sparkle and Shine, She’s the Brightest Star, One Night One Moment right through to the Sparkle Finale will all leave you with the biggest smile on your face. When you work with children, there’s always that little issue of being completely upstaged by them and this production of Nativity! The Musical has done just that. To quote Mrs Bevan, played by Ashley-Marie Stone, “Each child is a little pocket of stardust!” She’s not wrong.
Get along to the Palace Theatre, Westcliff for a fun night out this week, but you need to be quick as tickets are selling fast for this popular pre-Christmas production.
Review: Kim Tobin
The well known and beloved Christmas musical is written and co-composed by the creator of the original Nativity film, Debbie Isitt. 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.
Simon Lambert has taken on a huge task in directing this whopper of a show, with its large cast of adults, children and not forgetting the dog, who all have to be carefully interwoven between many scene and costume changes. Stage Manager, and DSM, Matt Brown and Hannah Broad may possibly need a lie down and an egg nog at the end of each show.
This SODS production has been perfectly cast with Michael James seizing the role of Mr Poppy, who has come to help Mr Maddens put on the school nativity and who is still very much a child at heart. It’s hilarious, yet often in parts exhausting, watching him win the adoration of the children although his wind up ways could possibly test the patience of a saint, let alone Mr Maddens. As the show progresses it’s endearing to see the character develop into the bones of what Mr Poppy is all about. This actor has clearly worked hard on becoming this character and has no problem drawing plenty of laugh out loud moments from the audience.
Nick Bright as the lovelorn and frustrated teacher, Mr Maddens, has the difficult job of having to be the straight man to Mr Poppy’s childish antics and does a great job keeping a calm face amongst the mayhem that frequently ensues with a nicely performed portrayal.
On the opposing end of the scale we have the somewhat demonic teacher of rival posh school, Gordon Shakespeare, who is fiercely ambitious for his own school’s Christmas production to win rave reviews from theatre critic, Patrick Burns. Jonny Buxton pulls off a corker of a performance in this brilliantly funny role as the teacher hell bent on winning a 5 star review for his school’s show and Ross Howard as Burns does a great turn in the role played by Alan Carr so hilariously in the film. Charlotte Bedford gets the opportunity to show off some impressive vocals as Mr Maddens’ ex-girlfriend, Jennifer, not least in the song she sings to Mrs Parker, Jennifers Plea.
There’s also some nice cameo performances from Les Cannon as the Mayor of Coventry and Dick Davies as a cheeky priest and let’s not forget the ensemble who are constantly on and off stage in various guises, for their supporting roles.
Nativity! The Musical, is of course centred on the children and their journeys from feeling as if they’re no good to becoming, literally, the 'stars' of their own nativity play. Here, Southend Operatic have found some outstanding youngsters to fill the roles. The wonderful thing about children is that they are like little sponges and these kids have more than soaked up the direction and choreography that has been given to them. Team Sparkle on opening night produced heartwarmingly believable performances throughout the show, alongside plenty of comical moments too. (I am sure that Team Shine who appear on alternate nights will be equally as awesome!) MD, James Green, has clearly worked his magic with the children, producing some lovely vocals from them as well as great dance moves from choreographer, Eleasha Hammond; no easy task, I’m sure, with 25 children to keep in line. I adored the children’s rendition of Dear Father Christmas towards the end of Act 1 where Mr Maddens gets to hear their Christmas letter wishes; and children who dance during the number, Suddenly, the duet between Mr Maddens and Jennifer in Act 2, also do a wonderful job.
Adding to the cute factor is the addition of Rosie who plays Cracker the dog. I must confess that it didn’t look as though Rosie was entirely comfortable being up on the stage and it was a little distracting worrying about whether this was really necessary. I’d hate to think that Rosie wasn’t having fun and hope she gets lots of treats in lieu of her appearance fee.
Act 1 is a rather long 90 minutes and Act 2 just around an hour, so if you’re bringing children be prepared for some possible fidgeting. That said, Act 2 picks up more of a tempo kicking off with a fabulous, fast paced and cleverly moved Hollywood skit. I loved Tony the receptionist bashing away at his laptop, played by Charlie Evans-Rouse in a lovely OTT characterisation of a busy PA and Herod! The Rock Opera performed by Mr Shakespeare and the Oakmoor Children is certainly not one to be missed.
The concluding scenes of the Nativity production are fabulously chaotic and I take my hat off to the cast for making it look so seamless with a constant turnaround of incoming scenery and numerous costume changes for the kids. Massive kudos to the Wardrobe Team, Lynsey Jackson, Tammy Brown and Sarah Mayes for some really outstanding costumes in this show. The Nazareth number, Sparkle and Shine, She’s the Brightest Star, One Night One Moment right through to the Sparkle Finale will all leave you with the biggest smile on your face. When you work with children, there’s always that little issue of being completely upstaged by them and this production of Nativity! The Musical has done just that. To quote Mrs Bevan, played by Ashley-Marie Stone, “Each child is a little pocket of stardust!” She’s not wrong.
Get along to the Palace Theatre, Westcliff for a fun night out this week, but you need to be quick as tickets are selling fast for this popular pre-Christmas production.
Review: Kim Tobin
COMEDIAN WC Fields famously once said ‘never work with children and animals’, but Michael James will be ignoring that advice when he stars in Nativity! The Musical.
Michael will be playing loveable teaching assistant Mr Poppy in Southend Operatic and Dramatic Society’s production of the show at the Palace Theatre in Westcliff-on-Sea from November 15-18.
Not only will he be sharing the stage with dogs Star and Rosie, who play Cracker, but 50 children, including two of his three sons.
Michael will be playing loveable teaching assistant Mr Poppy in Southend Operatic and Dramatic Society’s production of the show at the Palace Theatre in Westcliff-on-Sea from November 15-18.
Not only will he be sharing the stage with dogs Star and Rosie, who play Cracker, but 50 children, including two of his three sons.
“Like lots of families, we love the film. As soon as we found out SODS were doing Nativity!, we jumped at the chance to audition,” said Michael.
“Astonishingly, I got the part of Poppy and my boys Mark and Freddie both got in, too. I was so happy.
“It’s so nice to be working with them and having them here with me. I don’t know if we’ll ever get this moment again to be on stage together.
“It’s so special for the three of us, but also for our family and friends. My wife Katie and younger son Bertie are really excited to come and watch.
Nativity! The Musical is based on the popular 2009 film starting Martin Freeman as teacher Paul Maddens and Marc Wooton as Desmond Poppy.
The show starts with childhood friends Maddens, Gordon Shakespeare and Jennifer Lore heading to drama school.
Maddens and Shakespeare end up working as primary teachers, who try to impress theatre critic Patrick Burns with their school nativity plays, while Lore heads off to Hollywood to pursue her dream of being a film producer.
When Poppy overhears Maddens’ white lie to Shakespeare that Jennifer and Hollywood are heading to St Bernadette’s to turn the school’s nativity into a film, he tells the pupils and things snowball as word spreads around Coventry like wildfire.
“I think it’s such a special show,” Michael added. “There’s so much emotion in it, but also craziness and fun.
“It’s a heartwarming, very British story, with the underdogs in competition with kids and teachers from the poshest, fanciest school in the whole of Coventry, but you’ve also got the Hollywood sparkle. I think it’s just a brilliant story.
“All the kids that are in our production are so wonderfully brilliant, too, They’re giving it their all, and it’s great to watch.”
Favourite songs from the original film, such as Sparkle and Shine, One Night, One Moment and Nazareth, are all present, along with a host of great numbers written for the stage adaptation.
Joining Michael are long-time SODS members Nick Bright as Maddens and Jonny Buxton as Shakespeare, with Charlotte Before making her SODS debut as Lore.
After directing SODS’ successful production of Oliver! last year, Simon Lambert takes up directing duties again, assisted by Sydney Price.
The show is choreographed by Eleasha Hammond, with James Green returning as musical director, assisted by Charlie Evans-Rouse.
Full performance details are available at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or by calling the box office on 0343 310 0030.