19 November – 7 January 2023
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 crazy Mr Poppy, hilarious children and a whole lot of sparkle and shine as they struggle to make everyone’s Christmas wish come true.
Birmingham Rep have revealed the full cast of Nativity! The Musical, which returns home to the venue after a smash-hit run of touring the UK and playing in London’s West End since its world premiere at The Rep in 2017. The cast includes over 50 children handpicked from Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Ben Lancaster will play the role of Mr Poppy alongside Billy Roberts as Mr Maddens, Daisy Steere as Jennifer, Matthew Rowland as Mr Shakespeare and Cameron Johnson as the Hollywood Producer.
They are joined by Ralph Bogard as Lord Mayor/ensemble, Jamie Chapman as Patrick Burns/ensemble, Jemma Churchill as Mrs Bevan, Tom Hext as Mr Rye/ensemble and Eliza Waters as TJ’s Mum/swing. Sydney Isitt-Ager, Callum Train, and Louie Wood are on-stage swings.
54 local children chosen from across Birmingham and the West Midlands will play the students of rival schools, St. Bernadette’s and Oakmoor.
The St Bernadette’s children are Ava Ayodeji, George Bakel, Frankie Bradbury, Ava Carty-Jones, Madison Davis, Hattie Disney, Matilda Flower, Seth Foster, Isaac Fox, Felix Holt, Ava Hupperdine-Perrin, Molly Jin, Sophie John, Kyrelle Lammy, Mac Manumbre, Oliver Milchard, Darcie Morris, Alexandra Ngwenya, Mischa Palor, Abigail Salt, William Stafford and Ziame Stewart.
The Oakmoor children are Willow Adamson, Toby-Jay Amphlett, Bronte Ashmore, Zara Bench, Beatrice Carpenter, Thomas Cox, Amelie Davison, Alyssa Dewar, Ivy Edwards, Betsy Fahey, Ayana Freckleton, Effie Gell, Isla Granville, Ocean-Flower Hemmings, Jessica Howell, Alfie Jennings, Amelia Katie Connor, Nia King, Ava Knight, Will North Lewis, River Mahjouri, Annabel Parsons, Zara Pearson, Max Reekie, Gerline Rosales, Frankie Stephens, Eboni Rae’ Thomas-Witter, Isla-Belle Trimble, Ryley Trimble, Amelia Uma Thompson, Daniel Webley and Iman Wilkins.
Nativity! The Musical, adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt, the creator of the much-loved films, runs at Birmingham Rep from Sat 19 Nov 2022 – Sat 7 Jan 2023. To book tickets visit Birmingham-rep.co.uk, call 0121 236 4455 or visit the box office during opening hours.*
NATIVITY! The Musical
Book by Debbie Isitt Music by Nicky Ager and Debbie Isitt
Based on the film Nativity! Written and directed by Debbie Isitt
Produced by Nick Jones
Birmingham Rep
6 Centenary Square
Birmingham
B1 2EP
