The Coming of the Kings. St Mary’s Church, Thatcham, on 17th December and Our Lady’s Church, Thatcham on 19th December .

How do you recognise a king when you see one? This was the odd dilemma faced by the innkeeper and his wife in Shining Lights’ The Coming of the Kings. They are told to expect the arrival of three kings when a fortune-teller visits them and the nativity unfolds in an unusual way.

Originally written by Ted Hughes as a radio play, it gives a light touch and twist to the traditional Christmas story. The talented young cast showed great conviction and focus in their presentation at Our Lady of assumption Church.

Lacking the trappings of a theatre, they performed in a compelling way, showing excellent acting, both in ensemble and individually, with Pete Watts’ sure direction adding style and flair and brilliant touches. Opening with an effective, rough street-style rendition of Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, we moved into the story with the greedy innkeepers and their bickering and confusion over their guests, at the core of the action.

The dialogue is written in verse and the actors coped well with this, bringing it to life - the innkeeper and his wife (Daryl Hurst and Jessica Welch) were excellent, and enjoyed their comedy moments. Chantelle Davision showed great presence as the fortune-teller and Aine McGarvey, Katie Hartley-Kane and Ellis Carveth as the priest, businessman, police inspector and finally, the three kings, brought much to their duel roles. Their slow and serene entrance as the kings was very moving, as was Harley Ilott and Beth Richards’ final, excruciatingly-slow arrival as Joseph and Mary.

The staging was simple but effective in the lovely setting of the church. Effective props and good use of space put us in the mist of the action, with entrances and exits up and down the aisles. Modern and period costumes worked surprisingly well together and for me it was a super piece of theatre.

A delightful start to the Christmas season, to remind us all, whatever our beliefs, what it’s really all about.

Trevor Dobson

Newbury Weekly News 3rd Jan 2008