BECOMING Nancy’ opened its UK premiere officially with last night, after two weeks of previews, where the press-night audience certainly gave it a tremendous lift off.
The musical is based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Terry Ronald and concerns the herculean struggles he encountered as a young gay 17-year-old schoolboy at a South London secondary modern in the 1970s – compounded when he is asked to play the part of Nancy in the school production of Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver’.
In the show Ronald’s story is told through the eyes, ears and fourth wall narratives of David Starr, played with full-throttle gusto by Joseph Peacock. Playing Nancy is just one part of his journey from guilt to self-discovery through to pride at his own sexuality. He encounters his first love with a boy and enjoys a bonding friendship with a black girl student who suffers as much from racial abuse as he does homophobia.
Picture by Mark Senior. s
Joseph Vella is a joyful whirlwind as Maxie Boswell, the kindred spirit who breaks the rules and stirs his passions when he is cast as Bill Sykes to David’s Nancy – whilst Paige Peddie as Frances Bassey – David’s soulmate – not only oozes charisma as an actress but has a simply golden show-stealing singing voice, especially with the sensational ‘Who I am’.
Rebecca Trehearn beautifully captures David’s proud mum Kath and doubles this with the 70s superstar Blondie who comes to life from his bedroom poster along with an hilarious Kate Bush – another double by Genevieve Nicole who also plays the wise and wonderful Auntie Val. Stephen Ashfield puts in a believable performance as both poster-idol Sting and the closet queen drama teacher Hamish McClarnon.
Seasoned musical director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell has drilled the whole company into a near flawless team who give everything they have to the production – so much so they actually outshine the material they have to work with.
Picture by Mark Senior. s
Despite some heart rending and memorable moments Elliot Davis’s adaptation tries to cover too much ground, leaving sketchy characterisations that need colouring in. Some of the dialogue is cluttered and the plot unnecessarily shadows ‘Something About Jamie’ ‘Billy Elliot’ and Carrie’ rather than offering originality.
The songs too go from the fabulous opener ‘Welcome To The Beat Of My Heart’ and ‘About Six Inches From Your Heart’ to a number of fillers that don’t quite cut it as either show numbers or taking the story anywhere.
Although ‘Becoming Nancy’ was previously an American show, this UK premiere (apart from the football team wearing American basketball kit) has a very British feel to it and undoubtedly could have legs with some serious rewriting. In a nutshell I’m sure the best is yet to come, but it’s a good start and congratulations to the REP for staging it.
Becoming Nancy runs at the Birmingham Rep until November 2.
Click here for times, tickets and more information.
