Even thinking about this Christmas story in the middle of autumn might make you wince, but you need not worry. The Nativity! The Musical based on the children’s 2009 Christmas favourite is a fun, well executed piece of theatre to appeal to all ages.
Scott Paige narrates and carries the show beautifully. He is funny, sincere and relatable in some aspect to the whole audience. Ashleigh Gray and Scott Garnham with a cast of incredibly talented children tell every nuance of the story with care and detail. Telling a story interesting to adults and accessible to children is no easy task, but it certainly achieved in this production.
Unfortunately, Danni Dyer adds very little to the performance other than, presumably, a pretty big fee. She plays a caricature of a Hollywood star, and not particularly well. It is a shame, in this already well known story starring hugely talented musical theatre performers that this age old trap of casting a ‘famous person’ has been fallen into.
Do not be concerned that November is too early for a Christmas musical. This is a fun filled production which will have you laughing out loud and smiling throughout, something we all need at any time of year.
Nativity! The Musical plays at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Canterbury Marlowe Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Theatre Royal Plymouth, and The Mayflower Theatre Southampton before heading into London’s Eventim Apollo from 11th – 29th December.
For more information visit the Nativity! Website.
Emma Betty
Emma Betty is 28 and a nurse in Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. Emma has the Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Soundtrack (On CD!) to blame for her love for Musical Theatre, which she found in her parents living room pretty much as soon as she was old enough to know what it was. She began combining her love for Theatre, the Internet and Writing while she was still at school, through various blogs and on social media. Having moved to London in 2013, she launched Upper Circle 4 years later. A couple of years on, she is delighted to have a small team and is so grateful to those helping Upper Circle to grow every day!
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