Looking for a feel good show with catchy songs and a story that everyone should hear? Then look no further than Becoming Nancy at the Birmingham Rep.

As you enter the auditorium, you are transported back to the late 1970’s with great feel good tunes welcoming you in to set the tone.

This show starts with a bang with clever set design bringing you straight into David Starr’s (Joseph Peacock) bedroom. Posters of his favourite singers are hanging on the wall, in a hint of what’s to come. From the second Peacock opens his mouth, we know we are in safe hands and from the second he gets out of bed, we know we are going to be in for a laugh too. Skilful costume design get’s us straight into the story taking us from his bedroom, straight to school.

The set design by David Rockwell and Tj Greenway transports us to every English School Hall, with drab curtains and the school wall of fame. The automated stage doubles up as the Starr Household and is used rather cleverly. The show uses projection too – I felt this was hit and miss, sometimes drawing on art styles from the 70’s to create the street and the interior, but other times it felt weak, and a set piece of scenery may have had more of an impact.

Becoming Nancy is based on the book by Terry Ronald and follows Starr as he get’s cast by his drama teacher Hamish McClarnon (Stephen Ashfield) in the school production of Oliver as Nancy. Starr is unsure about taking the part, as a young gay man still in the closet, he is not sure how his fellow pupils will react. This is the late 1970’s after all and being openly gay was still not fully excepted; having only been partially decriminalised 10 years previously. He changes his mind however when he is introduced to his Bill Sykes – a new lad in town, the very sporty and handsome Maxie Boswell (Joseph Vella) – he is a sporty jock with a very American-esque feel to his character, however they soon realise they have much more than friendship on the cards and Starr decides he will definitely be playing Nancy.

We follow two story lines, the struggle of coming to terms with your sexuality, dealing with your peers and even parents. The other storyline follows Frances Bassey (Paige Peddie) and her struggle with racism that exists in the school, both with fellow class mates and also teachers. Special mention must be given to Peddie, her voice is incredible both in ballads and a rather catchy disco number in act 2. Bassey decides to hold a Rock Against Racism charity night, which turns sour when it’s hit by other students who have gone incredibly far right, and even as far as quitting Nazi Propaganda, this story line feels just as important now as it was back in the 70’s. It’s hard to see people struggle and Becoming Nancy deals with these issues through song and comedy with such beautiful class it’s no wonder she got a standing ovation during the show.

David Starr is like many young men a big fan of current pop, his bedroom covered in posters from The Police, Blondie and Kate Bush – who are ingeniously brought to the stage by McClaron – who manages some incredibly quick changes; his Aunt Val (Genevieve Nicole) and his Mum, Kathy Starr (Rebecca Trehearn) – they appear as the three muses in his head, giving him confidence and advice, and bring so much comedy to the show. Nicole is incredible and Kate Busy, and I await her one woman show as Bush! The score by George Stiles reflects their styles of music too and it’s clever weaved into the songs within the show.

David’s parents are Kath and Eddie Starr (Rebecca Trehearn & Mathew Craig) they are loving but also struggle with seeing their son coming out as gay, but with the help of Aunt Val, they learn to accept David for who he is. Trehearn has a cracking voice and really does bring the house down with her song which is so beautifully poignant. Becoming Nancy really is a story that feels so appropriate for now, learning acceptance, letting people be who they want to be, and just loving them for who they are, and this musical really does embrace all these things.

Special mentions must go to Daisy Greenwood, Issac Elder, Dominique McIntyre, Seb Heywood and Lucas Impey who support the show superbly with both comedy and the pathos this show needs. Richard Meek makes a dashing P.E teacher and adds the authority and masculinity to counteract Ashfield’s drama teacher.

Lighting Design by Philip Rosenberg is affective, but really comes to life in the second half in the two big disco numbers. The score is brought to life by the show’s live band who feature on the big screen at the end of the show, headed up by Sarah Burrell. The Orchestra feels a lot bigger than a 5 piece delivering some huge numbers into the show. The direction by Jerry Mitchell is slick, superbly funny in places, yet delivers pathos when it needs to. Mitchell also choreographs the whole piece with some great ensemble numbers that really do want to make you get up and dance. Costume Design by Jean Chan was sadly slightly off for me. The show is based in London in the 1970’s, some pieces felt very true to the 70’s style others felt much more modern and very American at times which didn’t sit quite right.

It is great to see new theatre, and indeed a new musical at the Birmingham Rep. I’m so pleased to be able to have seen this wonderful story and think that this has the potential to be a huge hit, transfer and keep going for years to come. It feels to me like the British feel good version of Hairspray, with a poignant message, catchy songs, great comedy… and even a man in a dress, albeit for only a few minutes. Catch this show while it’s in Birmingham, to find out if David Starr ever does Become Nancy! It really is a must see, and the standing ovation at the end really was totally deserved. Bravo Birmingham Rep!

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