Sometimes the phrase 'new musical' can cause an awkward twitch in the eye of an otherwise seasoned theatre-goer. Why would you risk the unknown when you could see Wicked for the fifteenth time?
Well you should definitely go green one more time, but if ever there was a show which confirmed new musical theatre is worth every second of your time, Becoming Nancy is it.
If I’m honest, there’s so many thoughts filling my mind when I think about the show, it seems almost impossible to get them down…but let’s give it a go!
From the opening bars of the first number, to the bows and the exit from the stage, this show had the entire auditorium laughing, crying, screaming and applauding. It took them on a whistle-stop tour of their entire emotional range...and then did it a few more times for good measure.
Directed and choreographed by Tony award-winner, Jerry Mitchell with the most exquisite soundtrack from Stiles and Drew, Becoming Nancy first premiered in Atlanta in 2019. It received mixed reviews and it's easy to see why. Whilst the story and the themes are universal, the setting and the context is intrinsically British.
It’s 1979 and David Starr is unquestionably one of the smartest, most talented sixth-formers in East Dulwich – he’s got a wild imagination, a vocal range to die for, and a bedroom plastered with posters of his beloved pop idols: Blondie, Sting, and Kate Bush.
But being smart, talented, with a great taste in music may not be enough to get him through secondary school, where, to his great surprise, he’s just been given the female lead in the school play. The unconventional casting sends shockwaves through David’s small town, first with David, and then with his parents, his aunt, and his classmates.
Before long, it seems like everybody has an opinion on whether David should go on with the show, inspiring him to turn to his no-nonsense best friend Frances and his unlikely co-star Maxie, the enigmatic captain of the football team.
This is a story of finding yourself and finding out about other people - and everything about it is mind-blowingly brilliant.
Starting at the beginning, the staging is simple but effective. Resembling the hall of David's school, comparatively simple set pieces are moved in and out to create a beautifully choreographed experience. This isn't a show with awkward scene changes. The fluidity is essential to keeping a fast paced production moving and it never missed a beat.
Talking of 'beats' - the soundtrack is exquisite. Becoming Nancy doesn't just have some of the best songs I've heard in a new musical, it has some of the best I've heard in ANY musical.
Contemporary, with a nod to the 70s, this music takes the phrase 'earworm' to a whole new level and the ensemble numbers are choreographed to within an inch of their lives. This is an all out, song and dance extravaganza you could watch over and over.
And then we come to the cast. And good lord, what a cast this is.
There isn't one weak link on the stage in an ensemble that deliver an absolute masterclass in musical theatre.
Joseph Peacock is outstanding as David - delivering asides that make you belly laugh and lines that make you rise to your feet and applaud the characters strength, his vocal ability is phenomenal.
However one of the most beautiful things to watch is his chemistry on stage with his fellow performers. Joseph Vella and Paige Peddie play Maxie and Frances respectively and the relationship which blossoms between David and his best friend and similarly his love interest is a joy.
Rebecca Trehearn and Genevieve Nicole play David's Mum, Kath and his Aunty Val and are an absolute riot. Disgustingly talented, I last saw Rebecca in Ghost and raved about her performance then - and we all know what D:Ream said about things getting better.
The uncertainty of Kath's acceptance of her son followed by the pushback from her sister was a highlight of the show - second only to Val's remark about knowing David was gay when, at the age of 6, he learnt all of Dusty's hand movements to 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me'!
However what is evident here is that, whilst it's easy to pick favourites, I could wax lyrical about every member of the cast because it's the ensemble as a whole that make this show what it is. It's the sort of show where you want to go back and watch the covers and the swings to see what they bring to the roles they play.
Without doubt, this is the best new musical I've ever seen and one of the best musicals, full stop. Everything about this show cannot be contained in a five-star review. If six, seven or eight stars were allowed, there'd be no hesitation on my part.
I honestly can't speak highly enough of Becoming Nancy. I've got friends who are on their fourth trip, two weeks after previews began and I can see why. Get yourself a ticket - and cross your fingers that this show has a life after it closes in Birmingham, be it in London or on tour, because it deserves it.
This production is a love letter to new musical theatre and a perfect example of how to do it.
Becoming Nancy runs at Birmingham Rep until 2nd November 2024. For more information, or to get your tickets, visit birmingham-rep.co.uk.
