Nativity 2: Danger In The Manger!, Cert U, 101 mins - review

Ambitious state-school kids try to win televised singing competition in a memorable Christmas comedy
p39 p40 p41 films
13 December 2012

Three years ago Debbie Isitt made a so-so comedy about a bunch of Coventry state-school kids whose nativity play impresses a Hollywood producer. The follow-up is slack and savvy in equal measure, and a guaranteed hit.

This time, the ambitious plebs are trying to win a national televised singing competition with the help of Marc Wootton’s Mr Poppy while David Tennant (both pictured) takes two roles: as their hapless new teacher, Mr Peterson, and as Mr Peterson’s ruthless, snobbish twin brother.

The naff buffoonery, an endless road trip to Wales and a heavy-handed thread about the importance of fathers means adult members of the audience may be tempted to punch themselves just to stay awake, but the contest itself is lovely.

There’s a wickedly sentimental Dickens tribute, a Justin Bieber pastiche, a lewd rap about fairies (“let me ride your fairy wings!”) and a frantic Irish ditty. They’re all catchy; all winningly performed. Most memorable of all, though, is an extended cameo from Jessica Hynes (as Angel Matthews, the cynical diva who acts as MC).

On top of everything else, she’s got a great voice. Tennant may be the big name, here, but Hynes is the dark star of the show.

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