Young performers from Heywood AODS’ youth section, Hey Kids, are in the final stages of rehearsals for their upcoming production of Nativity! The Musical, set to light up Middleton Arena this October.
Heywood Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, Heywood AODS, is marking a milestone year, celebrating 95 years of community theatre and 35 years of its youth division. Their latest production promises to be another crowd-pleaser, following the success of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert earlier this year.
Rehearsals for Nativity! began in May, with the young cast balancing their school lives alongside demanding evening practices. The society has worked hard to create a safe, encouraging environment, supported by licensed chaperones, volunteers, and backstage teams who manage everything from costumes to lighting.
One of the new recruits is Jake, who takes on the high-energy role of Mr Poppy. Having admired Hey Kids’ past shows as an audience member, he auditioned without expecting success, but was not only cast in a lead part, he was warmly welcomed into the group. He says he has already made strong friendships and feels fully part of the team.
Alongside him is Ivy, who joined in 2022 and has already appeared in multiple productions. This time, she plays the Star of Bethlehem, a character she describes as “sassy” and “a little diva”. Ivy has long dreamed of being part of Nativity!, having watched the film since she was small.
Chris, who is part of the adult society, explained how every performance is the result of months of voluntary effort and fundraising. With productions costing up to £30,000, every ticket, raffle and programme sale is vital. “All the money goes back into the show,” he said, adding that the cast and crew aim to deliver a West End standard at a community price.
Secretary Lindsey stressed how carefully each production is chosen, with the committee considering the mix of cast members and what will best suit the group. She said this year’s plea for more boys led directly to Jake joining, something she described as a perfect outcome.
Both Lindsey and Chris emphasised the importance of keeping theatre accessible. While top seats at touring productions can cost upwards of £100, tickets for Nativity! start at £16. For them, affordability is key to ensuring local families can enjoy the magic of live performance.
Performances run from Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 October at Middleton Arena, with evening shows at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm. Tickets are available from https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/heykids-presents-nativity-the-musical/ by phone on 0300 303 8633, or directly at the arena box office.
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