Set in a time when race relations in Britain were frosty at best, and LGBTQ+ rights were nothing short of a distant fantasy, new musical Becoming Nancy (the title itself a clever play on words) explores one teenage boy’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance, amid mass ostracism of gay people from his peers. It’s a story full of heart, humour and heaps of energy, that has you fully engaged from start to finish, both in terms of its overall narrative, and the quality of the storytelling through song.
Based on the novel by Terry Ronald, the story follows London teenager David Starr who, unlike other boys his age, is more into theatre and performing than football and athleticism. However his resolve is sorely tested when he is cast as the female lead of Nancy in their school production of Lionel Bart’s “Oliver!” Starr, who is already bullied fairly relentlessly, has to then choose between accepting the role and the overwhelming ridicule that would come with it, or taking the safer way out and turning it down.
This is a coming of age story that displays many of the tropes associated with the genre, however with a clear and ever present message about taking life by the scruff of the neck, accepting yourself for who you are, and how what others think of you can only affect you if you let it. The themes of love, both familial and romantic, friendship and identity, are handled beautifully, whilst unashamedly addressing antiquated attitudes regarding race relations and the LGBTQ+ community, not least because remnants of the 1970s sadly still remain in modern times.
The show has a delightful degree of humour about it, whilst also maintaining an air of sombreness and sincerity, making us laugh a great deal whilst also hitting us hard emotionally. And it is always wonderful to see such harmony between all the creative elements supporting the material, David Rockwell and TJ Greenwell’s sets combining magnificently with lighting and video design by Philip Rosenberg and Dick Straker respectively, to guide us from family home to high school to Brighton pier seamlessly.
Score and songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drew have a distinct ‘70s feel to them, containing a plethora of catchy, upbeat tunes, with everything from disco to Motown, as well as several beautiful ballad numbers. If there was any criticism, it would be that a couple of songs could easily have been cut to give the book a wee bit more breathing space, as we did go in and out of song at a rather breakneck pace for a show that isn’t fully sung-through. Tinovimbanashe Sibanda’s choreography though was electrifying, especially in the group number that juxtaposes the respective movement between the football team and theatre group brilliantly.
Leading the line masterfully, Joseph Peacock is a sensational talent, he holds the audience in the palm of his hand and we hang on his every word, not only through some outstanding acting, but he gave us some truly stunning vocals, with his high notes in “The Risk” a major highlight. If you didn’t know his name until now, you most certainly will do before long. Additionally his chemistry with Paige Peddie and Joseph Vella as Frances and Maxie respectively is so endearing, and with the latter they have you rooting for them hard.
And the audience could not have rooted harder, as the response on the night was rapturous, with several moments when audience members were on their feet, and an enormous ovation at the end of what was a simply superb night at the theatre that will have you dancing all the way home!
Becoming Nancy runs at Birmingham Rep until 2nd November. For more information and tickets, you can follow the link here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Mark Senior
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