Nativity is a Christmas wish come true for Steph and Lucie
A Christmas wish has come true for Steph Oliver-Beech and daughter Lucie as they prepare to take to the stage at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre in musical hit Nativity.
Steph, a project manager with the University of Sheffield, joined STOS Theatre Company two years ago, putting on her dancing shoes as part of the ensemble for glitzy Gershwin musical Crazy For You.
At the time, daughter Lucie said she too would enjoy the chance of treading the boards alongside mum.
So when the STOS team announced on Christmas Day last year that their 2026 production would be the stage musical version of family favourite hit Nativity, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for mum and daughter to be on stage together.
“Lucie has always loved dancing and singing and has been performing with local groups since she was three,” said Steph.
“As she has got older she has wanted to perform more and more - she's actually said that she feels most like herself when she’s on stage and I know exactly what she means.
“Throughout last year she kept asking if there was anything she could audition for and when STOS announced Nativity on Christmas Day we knew that would mean chances for lots of children.
“I said that if she wanted to do it we would go for it together so we shook hands by the Christmas tree and it just felt fantastic.”
As well as her chorus role in the STOS Crazy For You, Steph is an experienced member of the Sheffield Community Choir, performing with them as backing singers for Take That and Sheffield’s own Reverend and the Makers.
Adult auditions for Nativity came first, with Steph chosen to become part of the ensemble - she’ll be playing everything from a mum and a teacher to a Hollywood tourist and a planet.
That was followed by the children’s auditions - and Lucie won a part as one of the pupils at posh Oakmoor Prep, the rivals for the more rough and tumble children of St Bernadette’s as the competition to create the perfect children’s Christmas show in the grounds of Coventry Cathedral heats up.
“We’re both really enjoying the rehearsal process and it’s a great experience for a 12-year-old like Lucie, especially as we are now getting close to opening night,” said Steph.
“The thing about being part of a company like STOS, other than the fact that everybody is so welcoming and the principals and production team are brilliant, is that it’s pure escapism.
“You go into a different world when you go into the rehearsal studio and we both love that process, seeing something coming together is really magical.
“And every show is unique - you could go and do another show next year and it will be entirely different.
“You’re going into a new world and you suspend all your day to day worries when you’re performing.
“Being part of the ensemble cast of Nativity is giving both me and Lucie such a special experience, and I'm sure that being on stage in the beautiful Lyceum will be something she remembers for the rest of her life.”
Inspired by the 2009 movie hit, the stage version of Nativity features all the hits from the film - including Sparkle and Shine, Nazareth, One Night One Moment and She’s the Brightest Star - along with a whole host of new songs filled with the spirit of Christmas.
The STOS production of Nativity: The Musical will be directed by Keeley Kilby, assisted by James Bell, with choreography by Katie Granger, musical direction by Dominic Ridler and production management by Rosie Choppin.
Recent acclaimed productions from the STOS team have included My Fair Lady, Gypsy, Sunshine on Leith, Shrek: The Musical, Elf: The Musical, Barnum, Crazy for You and The Band.
For Nativity: The Musical tickets visit www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/lyceum
For more information about STOS - including details of how to get involved - visit stos.org.uk