Nativity! The Musical

Nativity! The Musical returned for a second tour in 2018 with the show's creator, Debbie Isitt (I Should Be So Lucky, Christmas on Mistletoe Farm) who also created the hit film that the show is based on, once again directing. Just as the year before, the production was mounted by Jamie Wilson Productions along with The Birmingham Rep, Coventry Belgrade and Ramin Sabi.

The cast was once again led by Simon Lipkin (Oliver!, Elf the Musical) as Mr. Poppy but, this time round, he was joined by Scott Garnham (Billy Elliot the Musical, Made In Dagenham) as Mr. Maddens and Ashleigh Gray (Only Fools and Horses: The Musical, Wicked) as Jennifer Lore. Alex reprised his roles of Child Gordon Shakespeare and Ollie from the year before, this time performing this track full time without rotation.

The 2018 tour began at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and concluded with a longer residency at London's Eventim Apollo due to huge popularity the previous year. As detailed below, the show featured new stunt casting for the Hollywood Producer in most venues as well as occasionally for the Critic. To accommodate more extensive star casting in London, a new character, Polly Parker - the Hollywood Producer's daughter, was created for Love Island star Dani Dyer.

The 2018 tour of Nativity! enjoyed stops at the following venues:

• Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (23 - 28 October)

•  Liverpool Empire (31 October - 4 November) Featuring Adam Thomas as the Hollywood Producer

• King's Theatre, Glasgow (7 - 11 November) Featuring Jane McCarry as the Hollywood Producer

• Milton Keynes Theatre (14 - 18 November)

• Nottingham Theatre Royal (21 - 25 November) Featuring Charlie Brooks as the Hollywood Producer

• Edinburgh Festival Theatre (28 November - 2 December) Featuring Jo Brand as the Critic

• Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent (5 - 8 December) Featuring Adam Thomas as the Hollywood Producer

• Oxford New Theatre (12 - 15 December) Featuring Jake Wood as the Hollywood Producer

• London's Eventim Apollo (19 - 31 December) Featuring Danny Dyer as the Hollywood Producer, Jo Brand as the Critic and Dani Dyer as Polly Parker

Recorded during the show's 2017 run, the Nativity! The Musical Original Cast Recoding was released digitally and on CD on 29 January 2018. Comprising of 29 tracks, the album has been available for purchase at the merch stand of every subsequent professional production.

Watch the trailer for the 2018 tour and listen to the cast recording below...