A nativity like you've never seen before; actors from Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) dazzle in a heartwarming and festive musical.

Actors from the group, which has performed a range of shows including cult favourites Shrek, Sister Act, and Elf - The Musical, left the audience with a heart full of Christmas cheer long after the curtain dropped.

The musical adaptation of the hit 2009 film, Nativity, follows primary school teacher Mr Maddens, who is left hating Christmas after his girlfriend left him to pursue her Hollywood dreams during the holiday period.

The grumpy but lovable teacher is forced to put on a school nativity, and in trying to impress a teacher from a rival school, falsely claims that producers from Tinseltown are travelling to see the show.

What ensues is an enjoyable saga of events featuring a love story that everyone in the audience was rooting for, rapping, lots of singing and jokes that left musical goers clutching their sides.

Adrien Nortier plays Mr Poppy, transporting the audience into St Bernadettes Primary, in Coventry, bringing joy, laughter, passion and raising questions about whether he had been plucked straight from the film's set.

Craig Saunders convincingly portrays Mr Maddens, producing a tear-jerking scene when he reads out the student's letters to Father Christmas as he learns to believe in his pupils.

His rival, the over-the-top and dramatic Gordon Shakespeare is played by Harrison Crangle, who injects the same fear into the audience as his students, a character we all love to hate.

Anna Neary plays the ex-girlfriend who broke Mr Maddens' heart, Jennifer Lore, in a way that you can't help but root for her whilst Alex Stores portrays headteacher Mrs Bevan, and a tap-dancing reindeer, delivering every line with passion.

The cast is rounded out with a number of adult performers, including Owen White who plays critic Patrick Burns, bringing laughs with every line, as well as Lucy Tipp as Miss Rye, the teacher who just can't help but spread gossip.

The students of St. Bernadette's, played by Team Shine at the performance on Tuesday, November 26, brought childlike wonder and heart to the stage, whilst the students of Oakmoor Prep kept reminding us that they are better than we are.

The cast of BATS is also committed to ensuring their productions are inclusive for all, holding a relaxed charity performance on Tuesday, November 26 with dimmed lights, noise and actor introductions before the show.

Lola Crossman
Basingstoke Gazette