The much-loved UK Christmas film Nativity! will, for the first time, become a major musical stage show in 2017 as Nativity! The Musical tours the UK. Debbie Isitt – who wrote and directed all three Nativity! movies – couldn’t be happier.
Nativity! The Musical will open with a premiere in Birmingham in October 2017 before touring many parts of the UK prior to an extended run in Leeds over the festive period. Debbie herself has written the stage show and will direct it, while it will be choreographed by the experienced Andrew Wright who has performed a similar role on several West End productions (Cinderella, Guys and Dolls).
Many fans of the film, and Christmas theatre, will be thrilled to see Nativity! hit the stage for the first time, but nobody could be happier than the writer and creator, Debbie Isitt.
Speaking to FeelChristmassy.co.uk, Debbie said: “I am so excited that Nativity! is being turned into a stage show – and the fact that it’s a musical is even better. I’m a huge theatre fan as I started out making theatre with my own company which I ran for 15 years.
“So many people after, seeing the film, came up to me and said that Nativity! should become a stage musical and I always believed that it could work. I began developing it into a stage show about three years ago but now it is finally happening and I couldn’t be more delighted.”
Having not only written all three Nativity! movies to date, Debbie has also directed them and been heavily involved with each and every project. It’s is therefore no surprise that Debbie herself, along with a skilled and dedicated team around her, will be weaving her magic on the musical version.
“I am adapting the film for the stage and directing the production, and Nicky Ager and I are writing new songs along with the original songs from the film – so I’m fairly hands on with it all.
“It’s going to be a lot of hard work but I have a brilliant creative team around me and I have been working with amazing actors in workshop to develop the piece so together I hope we can all pull it off.”
And when asked what fans should expect from Nativity! The Musical?
“Sparkle and Shine is a must! But this stage show is going to be very festive, very funny and hopefully have everyone singing and dancing in the aisles.
“Like the film, the stage show will be both feel-good and touching, with lots of heart and a big dose of Christmas spirit. Oh and hopefully the occasional live animal will show up too!”
Sounds brilliant, we’ve cant wait!
Nativity! The Musical Tour Dates
Nativity! The Musical will have its world premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 20th October 2017 and will run at the venue until 12th November. The full tour scheduled is as follows:
Birmingham, 20th October – 12th November
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Southend, 15th November – 19th November
Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Sheffield, 22nd November – 25th November
Sheffield Lyceum
Manchester, 29th November – 3rd December
Manchester Palace Theatre
Plymouth, 6th December – 10th December
Plymouth Theatre Royal
London, 13th December – 17th December
Hammersmith Apollo, London
Leeds, 20th December – 6th January
Leeds Grand Theatre