BECOMING NANCY
RELAXED PERFORMANCE
MONDAY 21 OCTOBER 7.30PM
CONTENTS
Here is a list of key information you will find inside this Access Pack. Unless stated otherwise, all photos are taken by Mark Senior
What You Need To Know Content Advice
Space
Cast List
Visual Story Thank You
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Becoming Nancy is a musical adaptation of Terry Ronald’ s bestselling book, and is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. This means there will be lots of singing and dancing!
David Starr is one of the smartest, most talentedsixth-formersin East Dulwich – he’s got a wild imagination, a vocal range to die for, and a bedroom plastered with posters of his beloved pop idols: Blondie, Sting, and Kate Bush. But that may not be enough to get him through secondary school, where, to his great surprise, he’s just been given the female lead in the school play, Oliver…
Becoming Nancy is set in the 1970's and is a story about being brave. For our hero David Starr and his friends, being brave is about facing bullying, racism, name calling, and even violence. It takes courage to remain true to who you are and not let the bullies win. Even though this is just a story, we all need a lot of support from our family and friends to be brave. The performance will run for approximately 2 hours 25 minutes including an interval.
Recommended for people aged 11+.
CONTENT ADVICE
Themes
This production contains some strong and sexual language throughout.
This production also contains language and acts of violence that depict homophobic and racist attitudes of 1970’s Britain.
Even though the cast are all friends in real-life, we know that some people may find some of the scenes difficult to watch. If you have been affected by, or are concerned about, any of the issues raised in the show, please do speak to a trusted friend or family member.
You could also contact:
Stop Hate UK (an anti-racism charity) MindOut (a charity supporting the LGBTQ+ community)
CONTENT ADVICE
Lighting & Sound
We have removed flashing light effects from this production, as well as limiting loud noises where possible. But please be aware that some video and lighting effects will be present throughout the show. This production will contain strong moving and coloured lighting and video. When you see this symbol in the ‘Visual Storyboard’ section the scene contains strong lighting:
You are invited to bring your ear defenders, dark glasses or anything else that might help you enjoy the show.
Design
There is a birthday party scene in Act 2 where balloons are used. You can find more information and a picture in the Act 2 Visual Story.
Our Front of House staff will be available throughout your visit if you need any help.
OUR SPACE
Our new front door is located on Centenary Square, shown here:
Our Box Office (left) and Foyer (right) are shown here:
A Chill Out Space is available in meeting room two on the first floor. Please ask a member of staff if you would like to use this space.
CAST LIST
Joseph Peacock plays David Starr
Joseph Vella plays Maxie Boswell
Paige Peddie plays Frances Bassey
Rebecca Trehearn plays Kath Starr
Mathew Craig plays Eddie Starr
Genevieve Nicole plays Aunt Val
Stephen Ashfield plays Hamish McClarnon
Daisy Greenwood plays Abigail Henson
CAST LIST (CONTINUED)
Layla Armstrong-Hughes plays Marcia Tubbert
Seb Harwood plays Jason Lancaster
Dominique McIntyre plays Chrissie Starr
Isaac Elder plays Squirrel
Richard Meek plays Bob Lord
Rachel Rawlinson plays Muriel, Mrs Boswell & Ensemble
Lucas Impey plays Dennis Gordon
Tom Andrew Hargreaves plays Bus Conductor, Mr Boswell & Ensemble
Elliot Copeland is Swi & D C ptain is Swing & Fight Captain
is Swing
Ensemble
PLEASE NOTE:
The Relaxed Performance, on Monday 21 October at 7.30pm, will be a more informal performance environment.
This means that:
Some sound and lighting levels will be reduced.
The houselights will remain on at a low level.
Auditorium doors will remain open to allow free flow in or out of the auditorium. You’re welcome to leave and return at any time.
Our front of house staff will show you where everything is and help if you have any questions
A chill-out space is available on the first floor, ask a member of staff and they can take you there.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
David Starr is dreaming about being on a world tour as a global superstar, until his Mum wakes him up because it’s time to go to school.
David introduces the audience to his record collection, and his love of music, as he gets ready.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
David arrives at school and Hamish McClarnon, the Drama Teacher, announces the cast list for Oliver!
Marcia Tubbert - one of the school bullies - makes racist comments to David’s best friend, Frances Bassey.
As David has the best voice in the school, he will play… Nancy! Maxie Boswell, the new boy at school and Captain of the football team, will be playing Bill Sikes.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
Abigail Henson invites David to the cinema, but he says he can’t go as he has to do his homework.
Jason Lancaster bullies David.
Maxie invites David to learn lines together the following day.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
Later that evening, David announces to his family that he’s been offered the part of Nancy.
David’s Dad, Eddie Starr, isn’t happy about the news and tells his wife Kath Starr that she’s not allowed to make David’s costume.
VISUAL STORY
ACT
1
Upstairs in his bedroom, David speaks to the posters on his bedroom wall (his favourite singers Sting, Blondie and Kate Bush) who come to life and offer him advice as he decides whether or not to accept the part of Nancy.
Abigail interrupts by coming into David’s room, kissing him and making it very clear that she likes him
David agrees to accept the part.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
Rehearsals for Oliver start as the football team begin their training session with Bob Lord, the PE teacher.
David and Maxie practice their lines in the library until Maxie is pulled back to football training.
Frances and David hand out flyers for the school disco that is raising funds for ‘Rock Against Racism’. Jason makes racist insults to Frances and homophobic insults to David.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
David and Maxie to walk home from school together.
Whilst waiting for the bus their share their first kiss and Maxie invites David to the school disco as his date.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
Aunt Val and Kath are at home worrying about David as they secretly make his Nancy costume. David is excited to try it on.
Eddie arrives home unexpectedly. He is angry and rips the dress, which upsets David and Kath. (Don’t worry, David isn’t actually hurt.)
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
The school bullies plan to ruin the school disco and burst in during Frances’ performance wearing masks.
They attack Maxie and the other students, and pour their wee over Frances.
The bullies escape before they are caught.
(This is what’s called ‘Fight Choreograpy’ and is really hurt.)
VISUAL STORY
ACT 1
Safely back at home, David puts ice on Maxie’s eye to make it better. They talk about their kiss, and - with the encouragement of Sting, Blondie and Kate Bush –kiss again.
David’s father bursts into to his bedroom and catches them kissing.
INTERVAL
There will now be an interval.
You can: Leave your seats to use the toilet
Buy some refreshments from the Café Bar
Use our breakout room on Level 1 Visit the cloakroom to look at our merchandise and programmes
Stay in your seats if you prefer
VISUAL STORY
ACT
2
The Starr family celebrate David’s 17th Birthday (balloons are used in this scene). David invites Abigail to convince his Dad that he isn’t gay.
David and Abigail have an argument, he insults her outfit choice and make-up. Abigail is very upset and leaves.
Aunt Val overhears their conversation and tells David off for being unkind.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
Aunt Val catches up with an upset Abigail at the bus stop and offers her a tissue.
They bond over the experience of being single and having trouble in their love lives. Abigail is cheered up and her bus comes to take her home.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
During rehearsals for Oliver!, Jason accuses Frances of smelling after the bullies threw wee over her at the school disco.
Frances stands up for herself and reminds Squirrel that they used to be good friends when they were children.
Bob Lord and Jason walk in on Maxie and David kissing whilst trying on their costumes in the wardrobe room.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
Bob brings Maxie’s parents over to the Starr house to confront David about his relationship with Maxie.
Maxie’s parents pull Maxie out of the school play to focus on his football, and tell David he will be expelled if he doesn’t stay away from Maxie.
VISUAL STORY ACT 2
The following day, Maxie convinces David and Frances to bunk off school and spend the day in Brighton.
They go to a gay club and have an argument because Maxie is unsure about their relationship.
VISUAL STORY ACT 2
At 2.30am, David arrives at Hamish’s house to tell him he can no longer play Nancy.
Hamish encourages David that the role is ‘A Risk Worth Taking’.
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
It’s opening night of Oliver! and Jason has been cast as Bill Sikes. Jason threatens David with his prop stick just as David’s parents arrive.
David proudly announces to everyone that he is gay and he doesn’t care what the bullies say.
Jason makes a racist dig at Frances and she kicks him in the groin. Jason falls to the floor and can’t play Bill Sikes in the show.
(This is another moment of ‘fight choreography’, the actor isn’t really hurt)
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
Maxie appears at the last minute, saving the day to play Bill Sikes.
He kisses David, dressed as Nancy, at the end of the performance of Oliver!
VISUAL STORY
ACT 2
The full cast come together for a big finale called ‘Have You Ever Had a Love Like This?’.
Maxie and David don’t end up together, but learn a lot about themselves from their brief relationship as “love has made them brave”.
Photo credit: Kris Askey