GABRIEL so wanted to be Mary, Mary so wanted Joseph to learn his lines, Joseph so wanted his dad to be there, and the wise man with a lisp so wanted not to have to say frankincense! This was The Flint Street Nativity at the Liverpool Playhouse, a celebration of what is going on in school halls everywhere right now and simply a wonderful, warm, funny seasonal show. Writer Tim Firth has tapped into school life and scouse humour to give us an unforgettable version of the Nativity. A cast of grown-ups cast back to their childhood to bring it to life with uncanny realism, down to the last nose sleeve wipe. The action veered front and back stage, followed renegades to the cupboard and the playground, all under the formidable, if unseen, direction of Miss Horrocks. The 'kids' in turn made us laugh - and say aaah! - as they do in real life. And when they came on as their parents, well, we knew all their secrets! It was a great ensemble piece but Leanne Best's wicked Gabriel, Andrew Schofield's bittersweet innkeeper and Neil Caple's shy, gormless Joseph deserve mention. And the show deserves to be part of your Christmas celebration. You won't regret it. | 
