Past Shows

Nativity! The Musical - December 2024

Based on the hit Christmas film.......Feel-good, funny and full of joy, this cracker of a musical was adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt, the creator of the much-loved films.

Every child in every school has one Christmas wish, to star in a Nativity, and at St Bernadette’s School they’re attempting to mount a musical version! Only trouble is teacher Mr Maddens has promised that a Hollywood producer is coming to see the show to turn it into a film.

Join him, his teaching assistant the loveable Mr Poppy, hilarious children and a whole lot of sparkle and shine as they struggle to make everyone’s Christmas wish come true.

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, this musical really ‘is a heartfelt hit’ (The Times).

SHOW REVIEW

Nativity with a Difference!

Shrewsbury Musical Theatre Company

The Nativity, The Musical

Barnes Theatre

December 18th-December 22nd

My evening began with a strange conversation with an Elf about whether we thought that Noddy was real and did his head reach to the top of his hat? Surreal really…But as I’m sure you know, it’s Christmas. I was on my way to my seat for the Shrewsbury Musical Theatre Company’s, “The Nativity, The Musical,” in the intimate setting of the beautifully equipped studio theatre, The Barnes.

Intimate the setting might have been the show was anything but. It was loud, it was razz-a-ma-tazz, it was brassey and it was in your face. Bristling with great singing, excellent dancing and character acting and all played to a fantastically impressive live band. This show has it all in spades.

However, like every show there is the good, the not so good, and an occasional error. Show business wouldn’t be showbiz without those three bedfellows who invite themselves to everyone’s show. So, let’s deal with those niggles first and they are tiny. However, one felt perhaps the sound engineer, whilst on the main doing a fantastic job, was a little slow at times on opening individual head mics, the result is a little of the song was lost. One understands there is so much to do on the technical side and as theatre keeps growing the technician has so many things to do. That makes my comment far less important in the grand scheme of things. Technically overall, a good job was done.

The first number hit us like a wall of sound and suddenly one is aware that these guys can really do this. The children sang, moved and performed superbly throughout. With so much stuff to learn; not just lyrics, but dialogue and choreography, one was aware of their work load. Proving to be professional in their outlook, the children got and fully understood the text. They knew the show well, it’s complexities, it’s rhythms and the audience’s expectations.

Spinning a yarn about two Coventry Schools one public, one private, in a battle to create the best nativity play at end of term, the narrative took us through a mad romp of implausibility; until the contest was resolved in a satisfactory way. Within the tale there were fun loud moments, big show songs, but also poignancy with the sub text all about all kids achieving great things, if pointed in the right way. A message we can all get on board with.

I look at a show like an iceberg. The performance is the tip and below the surface is a ton of work to ensure the whole thing works. Back stage staff are to be commended and applauded for their speed and accuracy. They manage 25+ children all needing costume changes or finishing touches, they are there for properties, scene shifting and its so important that there is a symbiosis between cast in front and the crew behind. That connection tonight was impressive.

The big numbers got the loudest hoots as everyone was really in a party mood. They were all openly or subliminally letting in that Christmas sprit that sparkles and shines in most of us. It sure set the mood for a fun season.

SMTC are to be commended for their own belief that they can take a big show on and pull it off successfully. A company that takes risks wins always! This show was a risk, it’s ran at a meaty 2 hours and with so many scenes and so many numbers, so many changes so many steps and yet all of those steps fell right. So gamble or not they won!

This reviewer will now step aside and give way to myself! So this is from Sofia, Good Luck SMTC in 2025 keep on keeping on!

This is a Four Star Review.

Sofia Lewis