Nativity!

Paul Maddens is a primary school teacher who once hoped for a life on the stage. Each year his school loses a Christmas pageant competition to a nearby private school, and this year Paul is put in charge of the production. He claims to a Christmas tree seller that his former girlfriend, now a Hollywood producer, will turn the show into a film, and the boast spreads through the school and beyond. Assisting him is Mr. Poppy, an eager and childish classroom helper, while the ambitious head of the rival school watches for any sign of failure. Paul's ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lore is among those drawn back into the situation, and the mounting expectations around the pageant become steadily harder to control.

Debbie Isitt directed and wrote the film, her second feature after Confetti in 2006 and the first in a series that continued with Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger! in 2012. Martin Freeman plays Paul, with Ashley Jensen as Jennifer, Marc Wootton as Mr. Poppy, Pam Ferris as Mrs. Bevan and Jason Watkins as Gordon Shakespeare. Nick Jones produced for BBC Film, Mirrorball Films and Screen West Midlands. The wide credited company of 125 cast members reflects the large ensemble of pupils, parents and townspeople the story requires. On TMDB the film holds a rating of 6.3 out of 10 from 232 votes, a modest but positive response suggesting a small, steady audience rather than a broad one. Released in the United Kingdom in late November 2009, the 106-minute comedy was positioned for the Christmas season.