Review: The Flint Street Nativity by Robin Hood Theatre Company, Averham

The Robin Hood Theatre Company has pulled out another Christmas cracker with its latest production.

In what has become a festive tradition, the company has delivered a seasonal treat.

The Flint Street Nativity is performed at the Robin Hood Theatre, Averham, until Saturday.

Tim Firth’s play follows the efforts of a group of primary school children in putting on the traditional play and the performance itself.

There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as the action brings back memories of Nativities past, either as a performer or parent. From battles over who plays Mary and Joseph, to the angels and wise men falling out, the overly-ambitious child and the nervous performer – they were all in there.

But there were also some re-written Christmas carols, which, while funny, hint at the troubles each child is facing at home and explains much of their behaviour.

All the children’s parts are played by adults – usually something that has me cringing – but it worked really well, as every actor embraced their inner child, under the direction of Cavan McLaughlin.

The rag-tag bunch of young performers were played briliantly by Tony Smith (innkeeper) Jo Dewberry (Mary) Lindsey Clarke (wise man gold) Janina Sulek (shepherd) Hannah O’Brien (Gabriel) Richard Fry (Star of Bethlehem) Jonty Redgate (ass) Sam Kendall (angel) Andrew Beighton (narrator) Nicci Hindson (Herod/Joseph) and Caroline Hall (wise man frankincense).

Together they put on a Nativity play. Not the traditional one you would expect, but certainly one that entertains and spreads a little Christmas joy.