AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: Nativity! The Musical - Pendle Hippodrome, Colne. Lancashire.

I have driven through the Lancashire Pennine town of Colne before, but I had, until this evening, never set foot upon the cobbles (a-hem!). The Pendle Hippodrome, located on a steep side street off the main road was much larger than I had anticipated, and the society who own the theatre assured every patron of a warm and friendly welcome. 

The society in question is The Pendle Hippodrome Theatre Company, and this production of 'Nativity! The Musical' was presented by the society's Youth Theatre. The youth theatre is open to all, regardless of ability, and is fully integrated. This meant that the stage was never empty, it was always buzzing with youthful energy, and the camaraderie, ensemble-feel, and palpable cumulative enjoyment coming from the stage was electric. 

The principal cast were well chosen, as the older members were given the roles of the adults, whilst the younger, and perhaps less experienced members were given cameo child roles and ensemble. It worked very well. 

The story, and indeed whole premise of this musical, one which I have to admit that I had not seen before, seemed to me to be a curious mix between 'Matilda', 'Elf', and 'School Of Rock'. It was therefore ideal for a large company of mixed age youths to present, and they all gave the show their alls, obviously relishing every second of their stage time. Here, a trio of school friends from Coventry grow up and go their separate ways, only to find that adulthood and fate has two of them locked in a  ridiculous battle - they have both become primary school teachers - to see who can produce the best Nativity Play. 

Heading a strong cast was the inimitable Blake Morris as Desmond Poppy, a manic, excitable, immature adult, who through his innocent energy makes things worse, and then ultimately, because this is a feel-good show, brings about the happy conclusion that we all knew would happen right at the start. The show offers no surprises story-line wise. Obviously a very strong actor with boundless energy, but at times he spoke so quickly, with an affected accent, that it was not possible to understand him.

The protagonists in the story were Ashley Brennand as the trained but failed actor who now teaches at a primary school, and Abbie Hargreaves, his only one true love who left him to follow her dream in Hollywood, Jennifer Lore. Both showed great prescience and understanding of the adult world in their characterisations, indeed Brennard had the exact demeanor and gait as one of my teachers from years' ago. However, stealing every scene he appeared in, was the third member in this trio of ex-Drama School drop-outs, Gordon Shakespeare, played by Lewis Murphy with a stage presence and understanding of stage craft way beyond his years. Here is a young man to keep an eye on, and a budding star of the future.

Special mentions should also be given to Amelia Turner-Smith, another very confident and proficient performer, who played Katelyn / Star; Louis Peel as a very relatable Olly, and two taller girls (I am uncertain I have their names correct, but hopefully I have) who impressed with their dancing ability (identically dressed in pink for the Hollywood movie set scene), Eden Barritt and Phoebe Whittaker.

Unfortunately this evening the lighting was often not on cue and there were several mics either not working or not switched on.. however, this was opening night and so hopefully these technical isues can be rectified for the rest of the run. Costumes were generally excellent, and since there were 54 scenes in this show, the idea of using 4-sided towers of differing heights to represent each scene was simple but very effective. The show was slick and pacey throughout.

A very enjoyable introduction to Colne, Pendle Hippodrome, and the Youth Society, with a production that all concerned should rightly be very proud of. 

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 19.1.23