Becoming Nancy, Birmingham Rep Review
Daisy Greenwood, Joseph Peacock, Paige Peddie & Joseph Vella in Becoming Nancy. Photo by Mark Senior
Reviewed by Emily H for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
It is rare to find such a gem of new theatre that immediately makes you want to jump out of your seat and cheer from the moment the curtain rises, but that is precisely what you can expect from Birmingham Rep’s new musical production, Becoming Nancy.
Becoming Nancy is a triumph of storytelling, music, and choreography, offering audiences a heartfelt journey with powerful themes of identity, acceptance, and friendship. The musical, set in 1970s England, follows young David Starr (Joseph Peacock), who unexpectedly lands the role of Nancy in the school production of Oliver! As David navigates the challenges of playing a female role, he confronts societal norms and grapples with his own identity, all while simply trying to fit in as a teenager.
From the first note, the atmosphere in the theatre was electric, with cheers and enthusiastic whoops breaking out in the audience right from the opening scene. This energy never waned; instead, it built as the story unfolded and the energy onstage increased further – each feeding the other in an endless loop of joy.
Jerry Mitchell’s choreography was nothing short of fantastic, blending energetic sporting sequences with intricate patterns that any choreographer would dream of achieving. Coupled with the vibrancy of Jean Chan’s colourful costumes, the dance work was polished and expressive, heightening the impact of the story from the high-energy school production scenes to the more subtle, emotionally charged moments.
One of the show’s most delightful surprises was its clever use of fourth wall-breaking comedy, which was perfectly timed throughout, and situated the characters as potentially real human beings, rather than abstract personalities made for the stage.
The cast was uniformly outstanding, but a particular shoutout must go to Rebecca Trehearn as Kath Starr (David’s mum) whose performance of ‘About Six Inches from Your Heart’ was both breathtaking and deeply emotional. Every time she stepped into the spotlight, her vocals brought a depth and warmth that completely filled every heart in the theatre.
Another standout moment came from Paige Peddie’s stunning vocals as Frances, who’s solo performance of ‘Who I Am’ painfully and world-shatteringly reflected on her experiences with racism. With a voice reminiscent of Jennifer Hudson, her stunning tones and powerful lyrics filled the room with raw emotion, earning a mid-show ovation unlike anything I have seen before.
The feel-good production also saw a show-stealing cast of music legends—Sting (Stephen Ashfield), Blondie (Rebecca Trehearn), and Kate Bush (Genevieve Nicole) —whose posters on David’s bedroom wall hilariously sprang to life. The three embodied a side-splitting combination of agony aunt, cheerleader and best friend to David, with exaggerated impersonations and iconic quirks that were played with perfect, playful banter.
At its heart, Becoming Nancy delivers a wholesome and uplifting message about finding one’s true self amidst adversity. Themes of homophobia and racism are handled with sensitivity, offering moments of both tension and resolution that leave the audience reflecting on their own perceptions and biases. The production’s ability to tackle these heavy subjects while maintaining an overall tone of hope and joy is commendable.
This was more than just a night at the theatre—it was an experience that left everyone feeling uplifted, challenged, and deeply moved. Becoming Nancy at Birmingham Rep is a must-see, a production that proves theatre has the power to entertain, provoke, and heal all at once.
At Birmingham Rep until 2 Nov
*****
