Becoming Nancy

Enjoy 20% off tickets with code SMALLHOUSE for performances on 7th-11th and 13th October 2024.

Both funny and deeply heartfelt. This is a show that uplifts and inspires from start to finish! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I can’t imagine anyone coming out of Becoming Nancy having not enjoyed it. It is an absolute gem of a musical that I could easily watch again and again!

Set in 1979 London, this coming-of-age tale (aimed at those aged 11+) beautifully captures the challenges of breaking free from societal expectations and embracing one’s true self which is hard enough now in 2024, let alone the late 1970s. The show tackles important themes of identity, acceptance, and love with a perfect balance of wit and poignancy. I laughed in parts and equally, I am not ashamed to say that I felt a knot in my stomach, too. This is a production that gives you all of the feels, and then some!

The cast is super, with David (Joseph Peacock) the lead actor of the show, bringing both vulnerability and infectious charm to the role of David, a young boy cast as Nancy in his school’s production of Oliver! Alongside the football team hunk Maxie Boswell (Joseph Vella) who has been given the role of Bill Sikes. David’s journey of self-discovery is moving, and you can’t help but root for him. A special shoutout needs to go to Peacock and Vella, who are an astounding duo together!

It’s a really well chosen cast with everyone able to hold their own, bringing their own strengths to the production. I absolutely loved the drama teacher Hamish (Stephen Ashfield) he really encapsulates the role and has such strong acting skills. You sit in the audience watching, wanting to join the drama club, too! And football coach Bob Lord (Richard Meek) plays his role so well, that I definitely didn’t want to join the football team!

The music is both catchy and full of meaning, with numbers that had the audience clapping along one moment and wiping away tears the next. I absolutely fell in love with the song ‘About Six Inches From Your Heart’ sung by Rebecca Trehearn (playing the role of Kath Starr, Davids Mum). What a sensational voice.

Paige Peddie, who plays the role of David’s fiesty and loyal friend Frances Bassey, is a real star. Everyone needs a friend like Frances. Peddie portrays the strength and yet moments of vulnerability of the character really well, and I want to take this moment to say I am positive, Peddies late mother will be looking down, incredibly proud of her daughter.  My 11 and a half year old daughter sat bopping along to the music, completely engrossed to the production. If she wasn’t bopping or clapping, she was sat (quite literally) on the edge of her seat watching.

That’s the thing about this production as I looked around the theatre, everyone from around the age of about 8 (it’s recommended from 11+) to about 80 was thoroughly enjoying it. Leaping to a standing ovation at the end and a boogie along to a song with the audience encouraged to take pictures and share with their friends. It is a show that will touch everyone.

The choreography (Jerry Mitchell) was sharp, energetic and fun and perfectly matched the show, and the set design (David Rockwell and TJ Greenway) although fairly simple, was cleverly created and managed to bring 1970s London (and Brighton) to life in a vibrant and imaginative way.

We really loved the show, and it helped to raise important topics of conversations with our own girls on the journey home.

This production is directed by two time Tony-Award-Winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots, Devil Wears Prada, Hairspray and Pretty Woman) if you’re a regular theatre goer and you’ve enjoyed those, then this most definitely will be up your street. And even if you haven’t, this is your perfect time to get to see one of his brilliant productions, use my code (SMALLHOUSE) and get bargain priced tickets (eg. 2 tickets for Monday night’s production for £27.50) – you will not regret it.

If you do go and see it, please do pop onto my Instagram account @smallhousebigtrips and let me know what you thought.

Book your tickets here: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/becoming-nancy/