Birmingham Rep’s new musical Becoming Nancy has been wowing audiences with its fun story of a group of teenagers facing the odds to discover self-worth and love. Packed full of new music and directed by Jerry Mitchell, the show has also been critically acclaimed.

And, say the young actors playing the lead roles, Becoming Nancy also has an important message for people of all ages.

Based on the book by Terry Ronald, the show tells the story of 16-year-old David who is asked to play Nancy in the school production of Oliver! But, as a young gay student already harassed by bullies, David is uncertain about taking the part.

And, with the help of his friends Frances and Maxie, he discovers that stepping into the spotlight can have unforeseen consequences.

“It’s a bit of a dream to be quite honest,” says Joseph Peacock, who plays David. “A role like David doesn’t come around very often. His story is so beautiful and powerful especially for the LGBT community.

“It’s set in the 1970s but it’s so current especially with the racist abuse that Frances goes through and with the homophobia that David and Maxie go through. The show is about love and acceptance and we need to keep pushing that message at people and say it.”

Joseph, who has appeared in top musicals such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Bat Out Of Hell, Grease, West Side Story, The Last Ship, The Osmonds and Titanic, believes Becoming Nancy’s message is for everyone.

“It’s been really lovely because the range of ages that have been watching the show have been from teenagers to people like eighty years old and everyone seems to love it.

“It's a feel-good story and that’s why people get so attached to it and have been so struck with the story. We give them so many highs and we make them laugh so they listen when it gets real. I think that’s the trick of this musical and what it does so well - we make people feel everything.”

Paige Peddie plays Frances, a young black girl who stands up to the taunts and physical abuse of the school bullies and even organizes a Rock Against Racism concert.

“I love Frances, she’s so cool,” Paige says. “She reminds me a bit of myself at school. She just wants things to be better and she cares for the world around her and the people around her like David and Maxie. She is a very passionate person and anything she puts her mind to, she wants to do well and she wants it to go well.

“I think her message is about being who you are. The thing with Frances is she kind of knows at the beginning and then circumstances make her doubt that, the bullies get to her and she has a low point which we all do, it’s hard to be strong all the time. But then she comes back to herself and she knows who she is and what she stands for.”

Paige, whose previous roles have included Nabulungi in The Book of Mormon, Ado Annie in Oklahoma! and Lorrell Robinson in Dreamgirls, says the responses from The Rep auditorium have really encouraged the cast.

“The audiences have been amazing. When we were rehearsing you couldn’t really prepare for the audiences’ reactions so the first performance day we were like ‘oh wow’. People have been loving the show and are really into it which is so nice.”

Paige has also enjoyed stepping back into the 1970s.

“I didn’t know about the Anti-Nazi League and Rock Against Racism. At the press night I met some people who were friends of the writer Terry Ronald who said they were part of the Rock Against Racism and that was really cool to learn about that.

“And I’ve loved exploring the fashions. So much fashion recycles itself as well so there was stuff that we were trying on and I was ‘I love this and could wear this now’.”

Joseph Vella has seen elements of his own personality in the seemingly carefree Maxie.

“It’s the first time that I’ve played a character where I don’t feel that I have to do too much because I feel like there’s a part of me that is Maxie. Me and Maxie are so similar as people so sometimes I forget that I’m acting, I’m just doing it.

“The show has so much to say. It’s all about not caring what other people think. We’re in a day and age now, especially with social media, where we care so much about what other people think and what really matters is what you want to do as a person and that you have the power inside you to do whatever your heart wants essentially. Maxie is kind of like a catalyst for these emotions and brings them out of people.”

Joseph, whose previous shows include From Here To Eternity, Fame, Chasing Rainbows, Gypsy and Annie Get Your Gun, says Becoming Nancy has struck a chord with many audience members.

“I’ve been so overwhelmed with how people are responding to the show even meeting people at stage door and they come up to you and they are like ‘thank you so much, this story means so much to me’.

“And also messages I’ll get after the show from people saying thank you and how they see themselves in the character so I’m getting a factual response from the audience direct to me. It’s amazing. I feel so lucky to be able to do that.”

Now he hopes the show has a life after it ends its run in Birmingham on 2 November.

“I want to give this story to everyone who wants to watch it. I’m a true believer that theatre should change people’s lives, that’s why I do it personally. I feel like if people were to see this story and give this story a chance and for it to be on a platform for more people to see, then it’s going to change people for the better.

“It’s not just going to entertain people but do some good for the world, help people through something and if we are not doing that for each other then what’s the point?”

Becoming Nancy plays Birmingham Rep until 2 November.

By Diane Parkes