AD | tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review.
We have seen many page to stage adaptations, and now we can add Terry Ronald’s Becoming Nancy to the list. Becoming Nancy is currently having its UK premiere at Birmingham Rep! Adapted by Elliot Davis, music by George Stiles, lyrics by Anthony Drewe and directed by Jerry Mitchell. Becoming Nancy is a joy of a new musical.
This new coming-of-age musical set in 1979 follows sixth former David Starr who lands the role of Nancy in the school show of Oliver! While soon enough the casting starts resulting in many turning heads with many opinions from those around him, at home and also at school. With doubt in mind, David goes to friends Frances, who is also fighting her own fight against racism, and football captain Maxie, and who also turns out to be David's first love, to help decide what to do.
Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, Mitchell’s direction is wonderfully done. Mitchell’s direction is slick when going in and out breaking the fourth wall. The direction that I really admired was in the song ‘Six inches', simple, but heartwarming to watch. Mitchell’s direction is clever, which drives the production by getting our main character to effectively step out of the action, which is clever and results in building the connection between the audience and our main character, and really helps you root for the success of David. Also having the help from David’s bedroom posters coming to life, for me you feel and see more of a connection to David (Played by Joseph Peacock) out of anyone else. Mitchell’s direction is just beautifully done showing off both first love between David and Maxie (Played by Joseph Vella) and friendship, while also being able to give out comedy, Jerry Mitchell’s direction is a success!
While Mitchell directs he also steps into doing choreography for this show, Mitchell’s lively and entertaining choreography is brilliant! It is full on in many respects and places of the show, while brilliantly and skillfully linking both sporty moves and performing moves during the number ‘The Play’s The Thing’. The choreography has moves from the time going through it while also still keeping contemporary. To me, what it does have is energy that will still make you smile seeing them performed, Mitchell’s choreography is energetic, simple but somewhat impactful.
Adapted by Elliot Davis, Davis' book is a delight. Davis’ book is funny, giving many of the audience times they can laugh out loud at. Davis’ book shows off both sides of freedom of being who you want to be and then having to back down and hide away because of the reaction from those around you. I really liked what Davis does with adding the connection by repeating the same line as we as an audience are seeing what is in David's head while also back in reality which goes well hand in hand with Mitchell's direction. The whole show has a message of being yourself and standing up for what is right which really runs through the whole piece, with dialogue getting whoops and cheers after the character’s achieve what they want to achieve. Davis writes and adapts some good characters which are really admired, this show feels true to original material of Terry Roland’s original book, keeping the feeling like a page to stage adaptation but still adding some differences to not make it a literal page to stage show. Roland’s story is full of joy, humour and is quite simple but likeable story too, which is all brought to the stage admirably by Davis.
With songs by George Stiles (Music) and Anthony Drewe (Lyrics), the pair have written some songs while also showing off their skills and talent with duets and ballads. The songs do what they are meant to do and that is move the plot along. I did find myself actually slightly tapping my foot to some of Stiles’ score. Stiles also pulls back in the ballad and having the emotion, both sides of the score go well hand in hand. Lyrically Drewe’s lyrics have quality and are nicely written, such as during ‘The Play’s The Thing’ Drewe shows some very good skills through the song's lyrics. The pair both show good teamwork and both work well with the story. Stiles and Drewe show impressive work.
Joseph Peacock plays David Starr, Peacock is a charming and loveable main character. Peacock actively shows the nerves that David has of playing the role Nancy, while also showing the confidence towards the end of the show when (spoiler alert) David is playing Nancy. There's good comedic timing from Peacock, while also understanding on how to get the connection between David and the audience with also good chemistry with co-stars Paige Peddie (who plays Frances Bassey) and Joseph Vella (who plays Maxie Boswell). Peacock's vocals are fab, wonderful and are a pleasure to listen to.
Paige Peddie plays friend Frances Bassey. Peddie shows determination to stand up against what is right. Peddie is a great performer with great chemistry with Peacock. You can see the friendship between them both, Peddie takes on the serious and also funny side of Frances really well. Peddie has beautiful and tremendous vocals that are sensational and the delivery when standing up for what's right gets a well deserved reaction from the audience. Peddie’s performance is superb throughout.
Joseph Vella, plays Maxie Boswell, Vella is sweet as Maxie. Vella plays on Maxie’s characterisation really well with tackling the theatre with sport, while also showing the love he has for David. Both Peacock and Vella share the same charm when showing their love for each other, and both equally play well against each other and create cute awe inspiring moments. Vella shows great energy, while also being able to tone it down for calm scenes between Peacock and himself. Vella does a great job.
With set design by David Rockwell and TJ Greenway, the show's design works perfectly. Designed mainly like a school hall with a movable mini stage was a great addition to the set allowing various scenes to take place. The set is not overly big but not overly simple; it attaches to the show nicely, and allows the material to shine rather than complicate.
Becoming Nancy is a fab new coming-of-age musical, with a great team behind it. It's a feel-good show that is well written on both sides, book and songs, with maybe a simple story but a heartwarming one, it will be a hit with many! Becoming Nancy is a new musical that you should see if you get the chance to.
★★★★★
Book tickets to see Becoming Nancy here. Playing at the Birmingham Rep until 2nd of November.
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