Nativity! The Musical has kicked off Christmas in The Potteries and what a festive treat it is.

Based on Debbie Isitt's smash hit film of the same name, the musical version is full of fun, love, heart-warming moments and memorable antics. It is a joy to watch with its glorious young cast, fast-paced comical narrative and lively and uplifting musical score.

For those not in the know, the story revolves around three ex drama school students from Coventry - two become teachers whilst the third heads off to Hollywood to find fame and fortune. The staging a school nativity play is the catalyst for an unlikely reunion as the two teachers compete for the best review - and pandemonium ensues.

Mr Maddens, played authentically by Dan Booth, is a depressed and forlorn teacher at St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School - a school deep in special measures with an enthusiastic but sometimes challenging cohort of kids. The last time Maddens was in charge of producing the school nativity play it received a minus two rating review.  Meanwhile, Mr Shakespeare, played with a characteristic air of authority by Tom Pear, is the pompous teacher at the celebrious prep school Oakmoor where excellence in all things is the norm, and putting on the best nativity play in the city is a given. Thus, the rivalry begins...  

This version of Nativity! The Musical  is performed by Stage Productions, a wonderful and talented amateur company - although you wouldn’t know it if it wasn't written. The calibre of performance is so memorable and engaging.  The show is packed with choreographic delights, fabulous costumes, innovative staging, original songs  - including Nazareth and Sparkle and Shine as well as heaps of genuinely funny dialogue, all of which is guranteed to have you in fits of giggles from start to finish.

The central character of the show is Mr Poppy, played by James Dawe. As the enthusiastic classroom assistant loaded with crazy ideas, infectious positivity and blind optimism, he is just perfect. A real Pied Piper he has the children of St Bernadette’s hang on his every word, and prosper as a result with his direction of the nativity.  It's magical to watch how a class who initially believe they are useless become the stars of the show with such awesome talent and tangible passion. The young cast are truly gifted and they give their all as the story unfolds.  In fact, it is hard not to shed a tear as the pure enjoyment of watching this wonderful production unfolds. A shout goes to three young actors in particular - Dottie Brown who showcases beautiful vocals as Star, Jude Holmes who plays TJ and who is clearly a budding actor in the making, and Henri Reynolds who is surely destined for more stage appearances. The whole ensemble as a whole were are a complete festive joy to watch - so many truly talented individuals who give their all. 

Five stars

Reviewed by Carol Lovatt at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, on Wedneday 3 December.
Nativity! The Musical continues to show at the venue until Saturday 6 December.