Theatre Review: Becoming Nancy at the Birmingham Rep
AD: This review refers to the 2024 Production of Becoming Nancy at the Birmingham Rep (Preview Shows)*
Becoming Nancy tells the story of a boy who is cast in one of the lead roles in his school production of Oliver!. Only it’s not Fagin, or the Artful Dodger, or the titular Oliver Twist. Sixteen-year old David Starr (played by Joseph Peacock) is unconventionally cast as everyone’s favourite tart with a heart Nancy. We were invited to watch this brand new coming-of-age musical during its preview run.
What are preview shows? These are an opportunity for producers, cast and crew to settle in to a new show and and garner the opinions of audiences. Final tweaks may be made prior to the official “Opening Night”. Don’t worry – most of the hard work has already been done prior to the previews! You might even get glimpses of songs or storylines that don’t end up in the final cut!
Based on Terry Ronald’s bestselling 2012 novel, this is Becoming Nancy’s first run in the UK. Oddly, this very British show premiered in Atlanta in 2019. The book is based on Ronald’s real-life experience – except he didn’t take the role of Nancy. Which led him to consider a sliding doors moment – what would happen if he had? Legendary director Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Pretty Woman, Hairspray and more) picked up a copy of Ronald’s book and saw the potential to adapt as a stage musical, bringing in Elliot Davis as writer, and George Stiles and Anthony Drewe to write music and lyrics.
Becoming Nancy has shades of Billy Elliott, Kinky Boots and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in terms of its central themes of exploring your true self and finding the courage to be different. The show is set in 1979 London, in the golden age of Blondie, Bush and Sting, but issues of racism and homophobia are still present in society today.
Joseph Peacock makes an excellent leading man, having a rapport with the audience as he narrates his own story and inner thoughts. Starr may love to perform but he’s also perfectly at home in his bedroom, talking to his pop posters. In fact sometimes, they even talk back. Yet he falls under the spell of handsome new boy Maxie, played sensitively by Joseph Vella. Maxie is the golden boy who appears to have everything but slowly reveals his own inner torment.
At home, Starr’s father Eddie (Matthew Craig) runs away to his pigeons or the pub to avoid difficult conversations. Olivier award-winning Rebecca Trehearn is unsurprisingly flawless as Kath Starr, particularly on the song “About Six Inches from Your Heart”. You could hear a pin drop in the audience as she belted out the touching song about a mother’s love. Support comes from his sympathetic drama teacher Hamish McClarnon (played by Stephen Ashfield, reprising his role from 2019 Atlanta production) and from a charming and funny Genevieve Nicole as Aunt Val.
I feel like I’ve been stalking Paige Peddie over the past few years, having seen her as Lorrell in Dreamgirls at the Alex and as an incomparable Ado Annie in the 2023 reworking of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma in the West End. In Becoming Nancy Peddie plays Frances, David’s best friend – another outsider. She’s always mesmerising, but Peddie particularly shines in the Brighton disco scene, performing “Ready To Be Touched” in a tribute to disco diva Donna Summer.
Each character navigates their own struggle with growing up, finding their own identity, and dealing with unrequited love. The ensemble double up at times, with some hilarious portrayals of the pop stars that David adores. Definitely keep an eye out for Kate Bush in particular.
The score is full of catchy tunes, and I left the show with final number “Have You Ever Had a Love Like This” ringing in my ears. Daisy Greenwood as Abigail Henson and Nicole’s Aunt Val perform a beautiful lament to loneliness on “On The Night Bus”. Peacock’s vocal performance gains in confidence from a slightly wobbly opening number to a show stopping “The Risk” . There are plenty of playful references to Lionel Bart’s “Oliver!” sprinkled throughout, particularly in title number “Becoming Nancy”.
The simple staging by David Rockwell and TJ Greenway moves us seamlessly from school hall to kitchen to Brighton. The costumes by Jean Chan reflect the 70s period perfectly.
The Birmingham Rep has yet another hit on their hands. It’s filled with many warm and funny moments, along with heart-breaking scenes of loneliness and disappointment. A lot of the humour is very British – despite its initial showcase in the States. It’s a show that grabs hold of your heart, and leaves you thinking long after the curtain falls on the final number. I think Becoming Nancy will be a staple on our stages for years to come.
Becoming Nancy is at the Birmingham Rep until Saturday 2nd November 2024. Purchase your tickets here.
Photo Credits: Mark Senior
Why is this post marked as an AD? I received complimentary tickets to this event in exchange for an honest review. You can trust that I will always be honest and truthful on A Brummie Home and Abroad, and being an invited guest will not influence my opinion in any way.
