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Theatre previews from around the region
Nativity! The Musical
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The Rep, Birmingham, Sat 19 November - Sat 7 January
Debbie Isitt’s 2009 movie, Nativity!, proved so popular that it spawned three further films. It also inspired the Birmingham-born writer & director to create this musical stage adaptation, here making a welcome return to The Rep complete with some brand-new songs. For those unfamiliar with the plot, it concerns the children of St Bernadette’s primary school and their ambition to present a musical version of the nativity. An already big challenge for the kids is made all the trickier by false promises, a complicated love interest and a rival school vying with St Bernadette’s for the critics’ award. Not surprisingly, chaos ensues! “I always believed that Nativity! would make a fantastic stage musical,” says Debbie. “It’s so full of joy, the children are so sweet and funny and the songs so catchy that it lends itself to being the perfect Christmas musical. The songs really do change the dynamic. It gives you much more insight into the characters and their backstories. And the emotions are more intense, like with the love story between Mr Maddens and Jennifer - it feels even bigger now because they’re singing duets.”
Disney On Ice: Dream Big
Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, 26 & 27 November & 30 November - 4 December
Disney On Ice makes a welcome return to Birmingham with a show that’s encouraging audiences to Dream Big. Featuring a host of the Mouse House’s most popular characters, including numerous Disney princesses, the production has enjoyed more than its fair share of positive reviews since debuting at the start of the millennium. For tickets, visit theticketfactory.com.
Theatre
Beauty And The Beast
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 30 November - Sun 8 January
“There are pantos that go a bit near the knuckle, but I don’t think we do really,” says Brad Fitt, who’s long been a much-loved fixture in Theatre Severn’s annual pantomime production. “I would never tell a joke that was offensive or rude. Sometimes you can use a double entendre - but then that’s in your mind, that’s not me. You have to blame yourself!” Brad this year takes on the role of Nurse Nelly and also directs the show, his 11th Theatre Severn panto. He’s joined in the cast by Britain’s Got Talent 2022 contestant Tommy J Rollason, who’ll play comedy character Jangles.
A Christmas Carol
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon, until Sun 1 January
Of all Dickens’ festive stories, A Christmas Carol reigns supreme. The covetous sinning of the miserly Scrooge, the eternal hope offered by Tiny Tim, and the eerie visions of redemption - visiting Ebenezer in the shape of three yuletide ghosts (four if you count the chain-clanking Jacob Marley) - all combine to give the tale a real olde worlde charm... Adrian Edmondson stars as Scrooge in this highly acclaimed David Edgar-penned adaptation, which debuted at the RSC five years ago.
Cinderella
Swan Theatre, Worcester, Tues 29 Nov - Mon 2 January
Worcester Repertory Company have an excellent reputation for producing quality family theatre, and they will no doubt be doing so again when they get their collective teeth into the ever-sparkling story of Cinders and her search for true love.
Fame, fortune and fandom are at the heart of the musical Dreamgirls, which makes its Midlands debut at Birmingham theatre The Alexandra next month. Set in the 1960s, the story centres on three talented young singers and their rollercoaster ride to stardom. What’s On recently caught up with two of the show’s leading ladies - Nicole Dennis, who plays Effie, and Natalie Kassanga (Deena) - to find out what it’s like to be a Dreamgirl...
The smash-hit Broadway and West End musical Dreamgirls comes to Birmingham theatre The Alexandra next month and shows at the venue across the festive period. Packed full of catchy songs, including Listen and One Night Only, the show tells the story of three young black women - Effie, Deena and Lorrell - whose dream is to achieve superstardom as singers. But they soon discover that behind the glitter, fame is a rollercoaster ride where love, loyalty and friendship can be put to the test. Set in the US in the 1960s and ’70s, Dreamgirls is inspired by a host of top Motown acts, including The Supremes, The Marvelettes and The Shirelles. It premiered on Broadway in 1981, was adapted for an Oscarwinning film starring Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Jamie Foxx in 2006, and opened in the West End six years ago. Nicole Dennis played Effie in London and returns to the role for the tour. “I love playing Effie, as she’s such a complex character,” says Nicole. “It’s been a long journey with her, because although I started playing her professionally when I was 22, I first played her in amateur dramatics when I was 18. “We first meet Effie as an 18-year-old who is very sassy, outspoken, and knows what she wants: to be a big star. A lot of people don’t relate to her when they first meet her, and that has been a tricky and difficult thing, allowing people to understand her. But it’s also been the fun of the part, getting to know her and unravel all those layers, and getting to the roots of why she thinks like that and emotes like that. “I wish I was as brave as she is. She’s very outspoken about the things she wants in her life, and I think playing her has allowed me to take on some of that and be a bit braver in my own life. But in the end she’s just a girl who wants to be loved as much as she wants to be a superstar.” Dreamgirls was a story Nicole knew well even before playing the part of Effie. “I’ve grown up with this show and listening to this music since I was 10 years old. I think that’s what a lot of people find attractive about the show; the soundtrack is some of the best music I’ve ever heard - not just in musical theatre but in all of music - but it also has a very strong story to match it. The characters are so well thought out, developed and relatable. It’s one of the greatest musicals of all time.” While playing Effie in the West End in 2019, Nicole was scouted to join television talent show The Voice, in which she was mentored by Jennifer Hudson, who played Effie in the Dreamgirls film. “Having a relationship like that with Jennifer has been a high point of my career. It was like it was written in the universe. It was a massive experience, as she comes from a very similar background to me, where she had to do everything on her own but with the support of her family and her friends. Being on The Voice was a real experience, and I learnt a lot about the industry and how it moves.” Natalie Kassanga takes the role of Deena, whose friendship with Effie comes under strain when fame arrives. “At first Effie is pretty much at the forefront of the group, but then Deena ends up becoming the lead,” explains Natalie. “She’s a very ambitious young lady - they all share the same dreams, and any of them will do anything to be at the top. The fact that Deena is given this opportunity to change the black music sound is something she really wants. Even if that means damaging friendships, then she will do it to experience that form of fame. She is ambitious and very determined but also full of love.” The musical shows the many challenges faced by black women trying to make their way in the music business in the 1960s and ’70s. And, says Natalie, their fight to gain success and recognition is an inspiration to all. “When the film came out, I remember being so inspired by seeing three black women representing and showing empowerment. They showed that it might be hard along the way, but you always come out stronger. This show is something to relate to even today. It’s about struggling to be who you are, and anyone can relate to that.” Natalie hopes that seeing the musical will encourage other people to follow their dreams. “It shows there are trials and tribulations, but as long as you’re able to find your strengths, then it shows you should keep going and never give up. I grew up listening to Motown music, artists like Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder - those were artists I was constantly in awe of; I wanted to be those people.” And now Natalie is living her dream, taking top roles in a host of musicals. Although Dreamgirls will be the first time she’s been on stage in Birmingham, it’s not her first visit to The Alexandra. “A couple of my friends were in Birmingham at university and I came to visit. I came to The Alexandra to see Motown. I’d played Diana Ross in Motown in the West End, and it was really fun to be in the audience, seeing their reaction to that show. Now I’m really looking forward to bringing Dreamgirls to the theatre. “I hope the audience will take away the nostalgia of the Motown era, that they will learn from such a beautiful story about what happens in the music industry and how hard it is, but also that they appreciate the music. I’m sure the audience will have a good night, enjoy the show and be inspired by it.”
