Nativity! The Musical is based on the 2009 film of the same name. It follows a Coventry primary school, St Bernadette's, where 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 and She's The Brightest Star. It made its world premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in October 2017, before touring the United Kingdom over the festive period - and it's become almost as much of a staple of modern-day December as Santa and red cups at coffee shops.
By my reckoning, it's been around four years since I last saw the show in a professional theatre - and I said then that this is one of the greatest Christmas shows of all time; and that's still my thought process in 2024.
Nativity! at it's heart, is a truly Midlands-focused tale. Debbie Isitt, who wrote both the film and the adaptation for stage, is a Brummie. The story is centred in Coventry and tonight it's being performed by a theatre group from Bilston at a theatre in Wolverhampton - so the stars are aligning once again.
Be in no doubt - this show is brilliant in every sense of the word. It’s funny, infectious and heart-warming and an amazing way to kick off the festive season in style. I don't think I was ready for the enormity of the production either; with a set that looks like something straight from the big screen and a cast who deserved every moment of applause throughout, this show is really something special.
First thing’s first - the children. I can only assume there's a warehouse of talented kids stationed somewhere off the Black Country Route, because the team of youngsters on stage this evening were sensational.
Our young cast are split in two - a group portraying pupils from St Bernadette’s upmarket rivals, Oakmoor Prep and the class of the Coventry state school itself. Both sides of the class divide were amazing - slick, well choreographed and with angelic voices, the audience were smitten from the get-go.
Alec White and Stacey Lovatt are sublime as Mr Maddens and Jennifer. Bringing more than a touch of sparkle and shine to the show, the duo are perfectly cast. Add in Matt Elson as the eccentric, but loveable, Mr Poppy and you've got a dream team who ooze chemistry and charisma by the bucket load.
I say this every time I see local groups on stage - especially at venues like The Grand - but it's a point worth making again and again. The word 'amateur' should never be attached to shows like this.Time and time again, these groups are putting aside the 'easy' option and taking on bigger and bigger productions and really doing them well.
Were there teething problems? Absolutely. Were there things that didn't go quite to plan? Absolutely. But were the audience behind them every step of the way? You bet your bottom dollar they were - and deservedly so.
As a show, Nativity! is about as perfect as you can get. The score is memorable, the writing is funny and poignant and the characters are beautifully formed - and Bilston Operatic Company excelled in their performance this evening.
This production had the entire audience in the mindset of a ten-year-old again and has kick-started the festive season for the Black Country. No longer is Christmas crowned solely by the Panto season - Nativity! The Musical is there to press the golden buzzer and put a smile on all our faces.
Nativity! The Musical plays at Wolverhampton Grand until Sunday 17th November 2024. For more information, or to get your tickets, visit grandtheatre,co.uk.
