Press tickets

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Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the Knighton Park Amateur Operatic Society’s performance of their sold out show “Nativity! The Musical” at Little Theatre. The production was a testament to the passion and talent that is present in our local theatre and community, and really does highlight the extent of the future stars we have around.

If you’ve watched Nativity! the movie, then you’ll find that it is a storyline that closely follows. A primary school teacher, a long-lost heartbroken love, a few white lies, an exhaustingly wonderful assistant teacher, some kids that need someone to believe in them, and a dream is all it takes to bring Hollywood knocking.

Ed Turner, portraying Mr. Poppy, had an infectious energy that rippled throughout the auditorium. His charisma was undeniable, and the way he embodied the characters’ enthusiasm and innocence added authenticity to his performance.

Daniel Rowberry, playing Mr Maddens, looked comfortable returning to the stage after reading he has been on a hiatus since the age of 11. His confidence visibly grew throughout the performance, perhaps showcasing the steady and impressive character development, or perhaps showing his comfortability in returning to something he has so much to give to! It was a beautiful reminder of the transformative power of theatre, and the personal growth it can inspire and reminded myself of the feeling of returning back to dance and theatre after so long away (and have now been away for, for so long, again!).

Grace Bale, in the role of Jennifer, had not only a lovely voice but also a charming portrayal of a likeable character. Her performance added a touch of sweetness to the production, making her character a memorable part of the cast.

The emotional resonance of being part of a community performance like this was heightened by the presence of children, some very young, participating in the production. As I watched, I couldn’t help but envision that soon my own daughter, who was thoroughly enthralled by the performance, would maybe be among them. She enthusiastically clapped along, the entire time until she left during the interval for bedtime, and she truly loved it – I was apprehensive as it was a more grown up style of theatre for her but she was fab!

The young talent on stage were nothing short of brilliant, promising a future generation of stars, I’m sure for some big things, maybe Hollywood, will be coming one day. Their performances showcased not only their skills but also the support of the community nurturing their growth in the arts. There were a few minor hiccups with sound, as expected, but the way they handled it and kept their voices projecting was commendable.

The screen to stage transition was brilliant, with plenty of props, great costumes and wonderfully addictive songs such as “Sparkle and Shine” which would make the toughest of critics want to dance and sing with the children!

A special shout-out is due to the ensemble, who seamlessly took on various supporting roles, contributing to the overall performance. Martin Green, in particular, stood out in his role as the incredibly humorous and strong supporting critic, and Ellie Cassie as the Hollywood receptionist.

In the end, the Little Theatre’s production of “Nativity! The Musical” was a heartening experience, reminding me of the power of community, the importance of supporting up and coming theatre, and the potential that it has to bring people together in celebration of art and creativity. Hey, you never know, they might just be the next big thing on the West End, and how wonderful to know you were a part of that journey.

Little Theatre, Leicester

21 November – 25 November 2023

SOLD OUT