This jazzed up version of the Nativity addresses some of the questions that the traditional story only hints at with Herod rocking the boat, Joseph becoming Mary’s rock after a rocky start and of course an abundance of the aforementioned music.

The principals were strong in their performances. Mary (Nimah Falconer) had a voice as pure and tender as her soul and Joseph’s (James Hale) bewilderment at finding his fiancé pregnant gently gave way to acceptance. Gabriel (Hannah Worlock) and Herod (Callum Searle) provided the light and dark with Worlock shining in her role and Searle, with crisp diction and such a dominant and malignant presence that his performance felt Shakespearian. All of this was accompanied by a three-piece band and focussed and tuneful choir, which added to the ambience. A few first-night technical glitches occurred but the cast rose above this.

Whether religious or not, these talented students successfully captured the sentiment of the season.