5* Review Nativity The Musical

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Review Nativity The Musical UK Tour 2018…

One of the biggest festive films in recent history is back on the road in 2018….and it’s a cracker!

Think Rock of Ages energy meets The Producers & Spamalot wit – yes, it’s that good!

Adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt – this hysterical, beautifully staged, meaningful and bloody joyous 2 hours of theatre will leave you gagging to stick up your 6 foot pine this weekend!

We were at opening night in Coventry at the Belgrade Theatre  – BOOK HERE!

Here’s the standing ovation tonight in Coventry…

It’s a love story, it’s got hugely enjoyable tunes, camp old nonsense, more gags than you can shake a bauble at and a feel-good and moving story.

It’s like panto for 2018. It feels relevant. It credible and modern – with bang up to date references, topical gags and asides. Collectively this is so hard to achieve whilst entertaining 4 year olds to 84 year olds!

The pure talent of the kids reminds me of standard of Matilda and Billy Elliot. The beautiful gag packed script is worthy of an award. It’s so fast and furious many of the one-liners were missed. Exceedingly clever.

It’s also brave. The PC prats will love to analyse some of the stereotpyes. I can’t be bothered…I was too busy having a fabulous night at the theatre.

Here’s our 5* HD video review via YouTube:

The Coventry Belgrade Theatre couldn’t be a better venue with the entire show being West Midlands based.  The cast includes West End favourite Simon Lipkin as he reprises his role as ‘Mr Poppy’. He’s quite brilliant. Stunning comic timing and bucket loads of warmth – what a star!

As the show tours the UK it has the most complicated turn style casting I’ve ever seen. Why this show is parachuting in ‘celebrities’ with no proven talent around different venues is beyond me. It’s an insult to these gloriously talented pros. This show sells itself. The kids are exceptional. Inspiring talent.

Following a smash-hit 2017 run in London, Nativity! The Musical embarks on a UK tour this festive season, before returning to London for Christmas with Danny Diar – what do I know?

The music is quite perfect, although at times familiar. This show does regularly nod its cap to the best scenes and sounds from the globes most popular shows.

Featuring all of your favourite sing-a-long hits from the movies including Sparkle and Shine, Nazareth, One Night One Moment, She’s the Brightest Star and a whole host of new songs filled with the spirit of Christmas, Nativity! The Musical is the must see show this festive season!

Scott Garnham is a perfect straight man to Lipkin and Ashleigh Gray shines whenever given the chance. Two consummate professionals – a joy to watch.

Feel-good, funny and full of yuletide joy, this show is boundlessly uplifting during one of the most depressing times in current history. If this doesn’t fill your heart with happiness you should see a doctor!

For a short run this musicals the lighting, sound and intricate staging is exceptional.

The show is beautifully driven by Simon Lipkin whose boundless energy, remarkable comic timing and his quite superb voice steals the show.

Well, other than the puppy who is quite delicious!

So here’s the incredibly confusing casting in history! You’d need to be a genius to work this out…

The role of ‘Hollywood Producer’ will be played by Adam Thomas from 31 October – 4 November in Liverpool and from 5 – 8 December in Stoke.

The role of ‘Hollywood Producer’ will be played by Jane McCarry from 7-11 November in Glasgow.

The role of ‘Hollywood Producer’ will be played by Charlie Brooks from 21-25 November in Nottingham.

The role of ‘Hollywood Producer’ will be played by Jake Wood in Oxford from 11 – 15 December.The role of ‘Hollywood Producer’ will be played by Danny Dyer in London from 19-31 December.

The role of ‘The Critic’ will be played by Jo Brand in Edinburgh (28 Nov – 2 Dec) and London (19-31 Dec).

The role of ‘Polly Parker’ will be played by Dani Dyer in London from 19-31 December.

Nativity UK Tour Dates 2018:

23 – 26 October 2018
Belgrade Theatre Coventry

31 October – 4 November
Liverpool Empire

7 – 11 November 2018
Kings Theatre, Glasgow

14 – 18 November 2018
Milton Keynes Theatre

Danny Dyer will appear at some venues:

21 – 25 November 2018
Nottingham Theatre Royal

28 November – 2 December
Edinburgh Festival Theatre

5 – 8 December 2018
Regent Theatre, Stoke

11 – 15 December 2018
New Theatre Oxford

19 – 31 December 2018
Eventim Apollo Hammersmith

Don’t miss Nativity. I LOL’d and loved every second.

Review by Alex Belfield for Celebrity Radio 16th October 2018.