Becoming Nancy | Short Review

This upbeat, uplifting new musical by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe is based on Terry Roland’s 2012 novel, drawing on his experiences of growing up gay in 1970s south London. It’s a natural fit: the plot motor for our teenage hero David Starr’s journey to self-acceptance is getting cast in a school production of Oliver!... playing Nancy.

Bullying naturally ensues. But love also blossoms, with hot football-playing new boy Maxie cast opposite David as Bill Sykes. Their budding romance has the same sweet appeal as that in mega-hit graphic novel/TV show Heartstopper – albeit with extra flares and disco dancing.

American director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde) takes a high-energy and bubblegum-bright approach to the material – but lacks the courage to really explore the darker sides of British bigotry in the 1970s, where David’s best mate also suffers at the hands of racist thugs. Becoming Nancy will absolutely warm your heart – but could have raised the stakes by chilling it first.

Becoming Nancy plays at Birmingham Rep until 2 November 2024 – for more information and tickets, visit birmingham-rep.co.uk

Production credits

Becoming Nancy by George Stiles (music), Anthony Drewe (lyrics), Elliot Davis (book)

Birmingham Rep, 15 October 2024

Starring Joseph Peacock, Joseph Vella, Paige Peddie, Rebecca Trehearn, Genevieve Nicole, Mathew Craig, Stephen Ashfield, Layla Armstrong-Hughes

You can read our full-page review in the December issue of Musicals magazine, on sale 22 November – consider subscribing today!