# Nativity! > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nativity! > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nativity!.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity! > Source revision: 1339136287 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|2009 British film by Debbie Isitt}} {{For|the stage musical adaptation|Nativity! The Musical}} {{other uses|Nativity (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Use British English|date=July 2014}} {{Infobox film | name = Nativity! | image = Nativity poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = [Debbie Isitt](/source/Debbie_Isitt) | producer = Nick Jones | writer = [Debbie Isitt](/source/Debbie_Isitt) | starring = {{Plainlist| * [Martin Freeman](/source/Martin_Freeman) * [Marc Wootton](/source/Marc_Wootton) * [Ashley Jensen](/source/Ashley_Jensen) * [Jason Watkins](/source/Jason_Watkins) * [Alan Carr](/source/Alan_Carr) * [Pam Ferris](/source/Pam_Ferris) * [Ricky Tomlinson](/source/Ricky_Tomlinson) }} | music = {{Plainlist| * Nicky Ager * Debbie Isitt }} | cinematography = Seán Van Hales | editing = Nicky Ager | studio = {{Plainlist| * [BBC Film](/source/BBC_Film)s * Mirrorball Films * Screen WM * Protagonist Pictures }} | distributor = [E1 Entertainment](/source/Entertainment_One) | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2009|11|27|}} | runtime = 105 minutes | country = United Kingdom | language = English | budget = £1.8 million | gross = £6.4 million }} '''''Nativity!''''' is a 2009 British [Christmas](/source/Christmas_film) musical comedy film directed by [Debbie Isitt](/source/Debbie_Isitt) and released on 27 November 2009 and the first instalment in the [''Nativity'' film series](/source/Nativity_(film_series)). The film stars [Martin Freeman](/source/Martin_Freeman) and [Ashley Jensen](/source/Ashley_Jensen). In the film, teacher Paul Maddens (Freeman) lies to his rival that [Hollywood](/source/Cinema_of_the_United_States) are coming to watch his school's [Christmas](/source/Christmas) [nativity](/source/Nativity_scene), but after the lie gets out of hand, he must resolve the issue and save his school fast. The film was written by its director, Debbie Isitt, but was also partially improvised.{{cite web|author=PA Entertainment |title=BBC's Nativity comedy |publisher=[Virgin Media](/source/Virgin_Media) |date=11 August 2008 |url=http://movienews.virginmedia.com/news/?news_id=81414 |access-date=13 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080814040903/http://movienews.virginmedia.com/news/?news_id=81414 |archive-date=14 August 2008 }} The film is set and was made in [Coventry](/source/Coventry), England{{cite web |title=Coventry: My Christmas film set |url=https://greatcampagn.com/campaigns/coventry-my-christmas-film-set/ |access-date=22 December 2025}} and premiered on 23 November 2009 in the [SkyDome Arena](/source/SkyDome_Arena) there.{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/local/coventry/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8376000/8376025.stm|title=Nativity night comes to Coventry|date=24 November 2009|work=BBC Coventry & Warwickshire|publisher=BBC|access-date=27 November 2009}} It was released in cinemas on 27 November 2009. The film was followed by ''[Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger](/source/Nativity_2%3A_Danger_in_the_Manger)'' (2012), ''[Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?](/source/Nativity_3%3A_Dude%2C_Where's_My_Donkey%3F)'' (2014),{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DeborahIsitt/status/379638745018138625|title=Debbie Isitt on Twitter}} and ''[Nativity Rocks!](/source/Nativity_Rocks!)'' (2018). In 2017, a [stage musical adaptation](/source/Nativity!_The_Musical) premiered and has since toured the UK over the subsequent Christmas seasons. ==Plot== Paul Maddens is a miserable, jaded teacher at St. Bernadette's, a local [state-funded](/source/State-funded_schools_(England)) [Catholic](/source/Roman_Catholicism) [primary school](/source/primary_school) in [Coventry](/source/Coventry). He once had ambitions of being successful as an actor, producer or director in [musical theatre](/source/musical_theatre), but gave it up after negative reviews in the press. Mr. Maddens grew to hate Christmas after his girlfriend at drama school, Jennifer Lore, broke up with him at Christmas time. Every year, St Bernadette's competes with Oakmoor, the local posh [Protestant](/source/Protestantism) [private school](/source/private_school), to see who can produce the best [nativity play](/source/nativity_play). The headteacher at St Bernadette's, Patricia Bevan, tasks Mr. Maddens with running their nativity this year and assigns him a new [classroom assistant](/source/classroom_assistant) named Desmond Poppy, who is actually Mrs. Bevan's extremely childish, immature [nephew](/source/Nepotism) searching for work. While out shopping with Mr. Poppy for a new school [Christmas tree](/source/Christmas_tree), Mr. Maddens bumps into his old rival from drama school, Gordon Shakespeare, who runs the nativity plays at Oakmoor. Desperate not to be seen as a failure, Mr. Maddens lies to Mr. Shakespeare about how a supposed [Hollywood](/source/Hollywood_(film_industry)) producer, Jennifer, will be turning his production into a Hollywood film (although in reality, he hasn't spoken to her in five years). Mr. Poppy overhears this and gets so excited that he spreads the story to the press. Mr. Maddens finds his lie spiralling out of control, and all he can do is go along with it as media attention mounts and the children get very excited. The children at St Bernadette's are nowhere near as talented as the Oakmoor students, and Mr. Maddens has little confidence in their abilities. The enthusiastic Mr. Poppy helps him and the class to create an energetic, interesting nativity which showcases all of the children's unique (and often strange) talents. Mr. Maddens tries to contact Jennifer to make the lie come true, even getting on a flight to America to persuade her to visit in-person. It turns out she is only the secretary to a film producer, and he returns home disappointed. Amid continuing media attention and the Mayor's kind offer to allow the play to be performed in the historical ruins of [Coventry Cathedral](/source/Coventry_Cathedral), Mrs. Bevan discovers that the Hollywood story was a lie and cancels the play, advising Mr. Maddens to start looking for another job and firing Mr. Poppy in the process. This causes Mr. Maddens to calmly snap at Mr. Poppy about everything going wrong, but when facing his disappointed class, he has a change of heart and realises that he must save the play. Mr. Maddens breaks the news to the class that they are still doing the play despite it being cancelled. He and Mr. Poppy make up after Mr. Maddens apologies to Mr. Poppy for what he said to him. They both remove the "Cancelled" banners on the posters, therefore restoring the play to its full glory. Despite Mrs. Bevan's attempts to stop Mr. Madden from doing the play, the play is performed at the cathedral to an audience of the children's parents and family friends. The children, initially anxious but motivated and encouraged by Mr. Poppy's childlike spirit and optimism, actually put on a decent performance, to the surprise of everyone involved. Halfway through, Mr. Shakespeare climbs on stage to tell everybody that there is nobody from Hollywood there and the entire story was a lie. Luckily, a helicopter flies over and Mr. Poppy declares that it's Hollywood arriving; the show continues, and Jennifer and her boss, Mr. Parker indeed appear at the back to watch. Mr. Maddens joins them and, still in love, kisses Jennifer. The play ends with everyone, including Mr. Shakespeare and Mrs. Bevan, who have a change of heart after seeing the children's talents, united onstage to celebrate the children's success. As the film closes, Mr. Maddens and Jennifer are shown decorating his house together for Christmas, reunited at last. ==Cast== *[Martin Freeman](/source/Martin_Freeman) as Paul Maddens, a primary school teacher trying to produce and direct a nativity play that will for once outdo a rival school{{cite web|title= Principal photography commences on Debbie Isitt's Nativity|publisher= [BBC](/source/BBC)|date= 12 August 2008|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/08_august/12/nativity.shtml|access-date= 13 August 2008}} *[Marc Wootton](/source/Marc_Wootton) as Desmond Poppy, the immature nephew of Mrs. Bevan, whom she appoints as a [classroom assistant](/source/classroom_assistant) *[Jason Watkins](/source/Jason_Watkins) as Gordon Shakespeare, a [private](/source/private_school) primary school teacher and long-time rival of Paul *[Ashley Jensen](/source/Ashley_Jensen) as Jennifer Lore, formerly a [Hollywood](/source/Cinema_of_the_United_States) secretary and Mr. Maddens' girlfriend at the end of the film *[Alan Carr](/source/Alan_Carr) as Patrick Burns, critic{{cite web|last= McMullen|first= Marion|title= Alan Carr and Martin Freeman put Coventry on movie map|publisher= [Coventry Telegraph](/source/Coventry_Telegraph)|date= 17 September 2008|url= http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2008/09/17/alan-carr-and-martin-freeman-put-coventry-on-movie-map-92746-21837930/|access-date= 21 September 2008}} *[Ricky Tomlinson](/source/Ricky_Tomlinson) as The Mayor *[John Sessions](/source/John_Sessions) as Mr. Lore *[Phyllis Logan](/source/Phyllis_Logan) as Mrs. Lore *[Pam Ferris](/source/Pam_Ferris) as Patricia Bevan, the headmistress of St. Bernadette's Primary School *[Clarke Peters](/source/Clarke_Peters) as Mr. Parker, a Hollywood director, Jennifer's boss during her time at Hollywood *[Geoffrey Hutchings](/source/Geoffrey_Hutchings) as Father Tom *[Rosie Cavaliero](/source/Rosie_Cavaliero) as Miss Rye *[Selina Cadell](/source/Selina_Cadell) as Oakmoor Headmistress *[Ashley Blake](/source/Ashley_Blake) as himself {| class="wikitable" |- ! Mr. Maddens' class !! Mr. Shakespeare's class |- | Alexandra Allen as Cleo || Adeste McLeod as Grace |- | Ben Wilby as Bob || Anna Price as Ellen |- | Bernard Mensah as TJ || Arun Nahar as Jake |- | Brandon McDonald as Olly || [Bessie Cursons](/source/Bessie_Cursons) as Christy |- | Cadi Mullane as Crystal || Bethany Carter as Daisy |- | Caitlin Cronin as Lucy || Charlie Dixon as Thomas |- | Dominic McKernan as Dan || Cherie Ng as Nicola |- | Ellie Coldicutt as Beth || Eleanor Bonas as Rachel |- | Faye Dolan as Jade || Francesca York as Caroline |- | James Warner as Buddy || Freddie Watkins as Sebastian |- | [Jake Pratt](/source/Jake_Pratt) as Alfie || Georgina Owen as Emily |- | Joe Lane as Edward || Hannah Ciotknowski as Elizabeth |- | Joshan Patel as Bill || Harriet Kilner as Charlotte |- | Krista Hyatt as Becky || Hayley Downing as Victoria |- | Maeve Dolan as Sam || Imogen Stern as Phoebe |- | Michael McAuley as William || Katie Maguire as Megan |- | Daisy Churchill as Neve || Katie Stafford as Molly |- | Morgan Brennan as Charlotte || Lauren Downing as Joanne |- | Rebecca Maguire as Saffron || Lily-Rose Sharry as Lynette |- | Oscar Hiscock as Fraser || Michael Brown as Charles |- | Rhyannon Jones as Alice || Molly Burton as Catherine |- | Sam Tott as Matt || Mi Tuulikki Kelly as Lorna |- | Sydney Isitt-Ager as Sadie || Safiya Asharia as Sophie |- | Thomas McGarrity as Zack || Salim Zayyan as Percival |- | Oscar Steer as Billy || Behrad Koohy as Harry |- | Brandon Chambers as Tyrese || Chris Reynolds as Freddy |- | Tomas Ferris as Charlie || Stephen Mitchell as George |} ==Production== The film was first announced in August 2008, when it was announced [Martin Freeman](/source/Martin_Freeman) would star.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/news/martin-freeman-to-star-in-nativity-1117990349/|title=Martin Freeman to star in 'Nativity'|publisher=variety.com|date=12 August 2008|access-date=2 January 2018}} [Principal photography](/source/Principal_photography) began in the same month. ==Reception== === Box office === When released in the United Kingdom, the movie opened at #5, taking £794,315 at the box office in the United Kingdom. In its third week, the movie rose to #4, and in the end, made £5,187,402.[http://www.ukfilmcouncil.com/article/16448/UK-Box-Office-12---14-February-2010 UK Film Council – UK Box Office: 12 – 14 February 2010] === Critical response === {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|48|4.9|29|ref=yes|access-date=6 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Nativity! (2009) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nativity-2009 |access-date=6 January 2025 |website=Rotten Tomatoes}} ==Sequels== * ''[Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger](/source/Nativity_2%3A_Danger_in_the_Manger)'' * ''[Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?](/source/Nativity_3%3A_Dude%2C_Where's_My_Donkey%3F)'' * ''[Nativity Rocks!](/source/Nativity_Rocks!)'' ==Stage musical== {{Main|Nativity! The Musical}} A stage musical adaptation of the film, also written and directed by Debbie Isitt and composed by Nicky Ager, opened at the [Birmingham Repertory Theatre](/source/Birmingham_Repertory_Theatre) in October 2017. Since its world premiere, the musical has toured the UK over the Christmas seasons, including runs at [London's](/source/London) [Hammersmith Apollo](/source/Hammersmith_Apollo), which have featured guest star celebrities such as [Louis Walsh](/source/Louis_Walsh), [Danny Dyer](/source/Danny_Dyer), [Dani Dyer](/source/Dani_Dyer), [Jo Brand](/source/Jo_Brand), [Rylan Clark](/source/Rylan_Clark) and [Sharon Osbourne](/source/Sharon_Osbourne). ==See also== * [List of Christmas films](/source/List_of_Christmas_films) ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *{{IMDb title}} *{{British Comedy Guide|film|nativity}} *{{Official website|http://www.mirrorballfilms.co.uk/our_work/nativity/}} {{Debbie Isitt}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Nativity! (Film)}} Category:2009 films Category:BBC Film films Category:British Christmas comedy films Category:Films set in schools Category:Films set in Coventry Category:Films shot in England Category:Films shot in Los Angeles Category:Films shot in the United States Category:2000s Christmas comedy films Category:2009 comedy films Category:2009 English-language films Category:2009 British films Category:English-language Christmas comedy films --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nativity!](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity!) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity!?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.