Becoming Nancy review – coming out musical fails to hit the high notes

Birmingham Rep A boy is bullied when he’s cast as Nancy in the school play – but bland songs and generic characters keep the story stuck in single gear This musical, about a boy’s coming out, has an important story to tell. Adapted from Terry Ronald’s novel, it explores homophobic bullying, racism and same-sex love at a time when it was illegal for teens. Set in late 1970s London, it follows David Starr (Joseph Peacock) as he is bullied by classmates after being cast as Nancy in a school production of Oliver! In the same mould as several successful high-school musicals with vulnerability at their heart, and dealing specifically in sexual identity, it looked a sure-fire hit on paper. But this production, directed by Jerry Mitchell, fails to light. At Birmingham Rep until 2 November