'NATIVITY! The Musical' opened last night at the Cliffs Pavilion to an immediately hooked audience and ended with a standing ovation.

In short, it was brilliant! A definite feel-good show that sprinkles some seasonal magic and makes you leave the theatre ready to welcome Christmas with open arms.

I must confess, I hadn't seen any of the Nativity! films, which this stage production has been adapted from, by the same creator, Debbie Isitt. When I had initially read the synopsis - about a school who puts on a Nativity led by a teacher who has promised a Hollywood producer is coming - to be honest I was a little underwhelmed.

What you actually get is a little bit of School of Rock starring Jack Black with the same amount of hilarious content and tone, a touch of The X Factor and a lot of British culture and nostalgia, which takes you back to being knee-high when, at this time of year, putting on the Nativity at school was a very big deal indeed. It's all executed by a truly excellent adult cast with stunning performances from little kids who put so much heart into the whole thing, it'll make your eyes go damp.

All the cast were wonderful, but a special mention goes to Simon Lipkin who plays Mr Poppy. He performed that part so naturally I may have believed the character was based on him and he wrote the script.

The choreography, direction and use of the set was very sharp too. Without giving away any spoilers there is a little bit of clever audience interaction, which even the biggest Christmas Grinch should find magical.

Nativity! The Musical is on at the Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend, until Sunday November 19.

Do go and see it if you can.

You'll love it as much as your kids will.

Visit southendtheatres.org.uk for booking and more information or call the box office on 01702 351135.