Nativity! The Musical


Nativity! The Musical is a stage musical written and directed by Debbie Isitt, based on Isitt's 2009 film of the same name.
The musical follows a Coventry based primary school, St Bernadette's, where teacher 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", "One Night One Moment" and "She's The Brightest Star".

Production history

2017 UK tour

The musical was announced on 17 November 2016, to make its world premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 20 October to 12 November 2017, before touring to Southend Cliffs Pavilion, Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, Manchester Palace Theatre, Plymouth Theatre Royal, London's Eventim Apollo and Leeds Grand Theatre.
The production is directed by Isitt, choreographed by Andrew Wright, with Arrangements and Orchestrations by George Dyer and designed by David Woodhead and produced by Jamie Wilson, Entertainment One, Ramin Sabi, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
On 2 May 2017, the principal cast was announced including Daniel Boys as Mr Maddens, Sarah Earnshaw as Jennifer Lore and Simon Lipkin as Mr Poppy. The X Factor judge Louis Walsh appeared as Hollywood Producer during the production's run at London's Eventim Apollo, making his stage debut.

2018 UK tour

A second tour in the United Kingdom begam at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry from 23 to 28 October 2018.
Further tour dates include Liverpool Empire, King's Theatre Glasgow, Milton Keynes Theatre, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Regent Theatre Stoke-on-Trent Oxford New Theatre and returning to London's Eventim Apollo.
On 7 September 2018, it was announced that Simon Lipkin would reprise his role as Mr Poppy, alongside may other members of the original cast. Scott Garnham and Ashleigh Gray were announced to play Mr Maddens and Jennifer Lore. It was also announced that the role of Hollywood Producer would vary in each tour location.
Jake Wood appeared in Oxford, Adam Thomas will appear in Stoke and Liverpool, Charlie Brooks appeared in Nottingham, Jane McCarry appeared in Glasgow and Danny Dyer appeared in London. Jo Brand also appeared as The Critic in Edinburgh and London. It was also announced that Dani Dyer, winner of the series of Love Island, appeared during the London dates with her father Danny Dyer as Polly Parker, the daughter of the Hollywood Producer who is an aspiring Hollywood actress.

2019 UK tour

The musical toured the United Kingdom once again, beginning at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 29 October to 2 November 2019 before touring to Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Cantebury Marlowe Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Plymouth Theatre Royal and Southampton Mayflower Theatre before returning for a third season to London's Eventim Apollo.
Scott Paige played Mr Poppy for the tour opposite Scott Garnham and Ashleigh Gray who returned as Mr Maddens and Jennifer Lore, alongside Danni Dyer as Polly Parker who appeared for the tour.
Simon Lipkin reprised his role as Mr Poppy for the London run while Paige played Mr Rye. The London run also featured Rylan Clark-Neal as The Critic, Sharon Osbourne as Crystal Collins and Danny Dyer returning as the Hollywood Producer.

2020 Birmingham

The musical will return to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre during the Christmas 2020 season from 17 November to 3 January. Casting is to be announced.

Cast and characters

In order to accommodate a variety of star casting, various versions of Nativity The Musical exist;
; Act I
; Act II
The original cast recording was released on 29 January 2018, and features 29 tracks. It is available from Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and Apple Music.
The CD became available during the second tour, and could be purchased at merchandise stands in theatres.

Critical reception

The production received positive reviews from local press in Birmingham, receiving five stars from Plays To See, Behind The Arras, Birmingham Mail and What's On Birmingham