Damaris has been asked by E1 Entertainment to create official resources to help churches, schools and community groups make the most of Nativity! (UK release: 27th November, certificate U), a wonderful family film containing a clear presentation of an important part of the Bible story.

From The Office to Nativity!
By Alice Wignall
The Guardian
November 25, 2009

Martin Freeman made his name in the The Office as the lovely Tim. Now he's playing another nice bloke in Nativity! So why is he so defensive about being typecast?

Martin Freeman is sitting opposite me in a London hotel, and he's being charming. He's already offered to fetch me some refreshments ("Well, if you were in my kitchen I'd get you a drink") and is responding to my questions with vigour, practically bouncing out of his chair as he talks.

We meet during his promotional tour for the film Nativity! It's billed as a "heartwarming and hilarious tale of the true meaning of Christmas" but don't worry � it's better than it sounds. Freeman plays Mr Maddens, a frustrated and frayed teacher at a bog-standard primary school who finds love, joy and personal redemption through directing the school nativity play. As you may expect, there are sing-along songs and cute children and real donkeys and � spoiler alert! � a happy ending, but it's also quite refreshingly odd and, at times, rather bleak; enjoyably downcast and care-worn.

Freeman is the best thing about the film "he's in virtually every scene and appealing in all of them, with his open, malleable face and its range of double-takes and popped-eye exasperation. The role is of a piece with the ones for which Freeman is most famous decent, slightly lost, resolutely normal and nice. Although there is plenty of variety on his CV including a serious education in acting (at the Central School of Speech and Drama), an early cameo as a petty thief in This Life, a deeply unpleasant sex offender in the Channel 4 drama Men Only and Rembrandt in the 2007 Peter Greenaway film Nightwatching it's fair to say that it's the regular guys Tim from The Office, Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy with which he seems to be most identified, leading me to idly wonder what makes him right for playing the everyman . . .

I'm sure you know that coldly dawning realisation when you've just said something wrong. It feels as though the temperature drops several degrees. He tries hard not to show how annoyed he is ("I know this is not what you're saying specifically . . .", "I know you're not levelling anything . . ." ), doesn't shout or swear (much a near-miracle since he was once known for his unrestricted employment of expletives in interviews, a habit he's tried to knock on the head recently, because "even I hated reading it after a while"), but it's obvious the word "everyman" sounds like an insult. "It does, because I hear it all the time. I have to go, 'OK, I know this person isn't trying to piss me off . . .' "

Naturally it must be irritating that people assume he is those characters, who are all variations on life's losers. At 38, Freeman is far from that. He's successful, married (to fellow actor Amanda Abbington) and a father of two (not that he'll talk about any of that. "Mind your own business!" is his response to a question about whether his children are of nativity-play age themselves). If he was pigeonholed playing psychos, that would be one thing; but being known for playing the normal bloke in the middle of the action leaves him open to the accusation that he is always "just playing himself".

"Well, no I'm not," he retorts. "If you mean I look a bit like him and I sound a bit like him yeah, that's because I'm playing him and it didn't say 'He's Somalian' on the script, otherwise I would have tried an accent. If the script says, 'Guy in his 30s, my generation, lives in England', what am I going to do? Start acting like I'm half-lizard? There's no point, because no one wants to see it."

Not that he thinks acting doesn't require application. "I certainly don't just turn up. If I make it look like that, that's because I'm good" but he's scornful of the notion that tangible effort is what "proper" acting is made of. "I'm not interested in, 'What can I do to impress?' Well, play the role. I hate it when people show you what they're doing. No one wants to see the cogs. But very often that's what's lauded as great acting: 'Look at me working! Look at my false nose!'"

It might be easy to assume that Nativity! didn't stretch Freeman much as an actor, but in fact the film was not formally scripted and so a real challenge for him. "Improvising comedy, and furthering the story, and staying true to the character that's a lot of balls to juggle," agrees Freeman. It is a technique he tried before on Confetti, the 2006 film made by Nativity!'s director, Debbie Isitt, and he was pleased to see he had improved: "I'm just literally better at not talking over people. Better at not swearing."

Being the person with whom the audience wants to identify is surely a boon � you can't be the leading man without it. Freeman acknowledges that it can be useful: "Some people like me, and you either have a thing that people want to follow or you don't." But his heart's not really in it. "You think, how do I get out of this? and the answer is I can't. Even if I think I don't want to do comedy for ages, if I read a script and it's really good, I want to do it." Besides, as he acknowledges, it's difficult to challenge the legacy of a breakthrough hit such as The Office and a character as loved as Tim: "I can't have another actor's career. It's done. Part of my thing is already set in motion and I'd be mad to begrudge it. But it can be frustrating."

On the making of The Office, Freeman says he had "as much fun as I'm ever likely to have again doing that show. I loved it. I laughed more than I have on any other job." Did they know they were on to a smash hit, right from the start? "No one knew it was going to do what it did, but we all thought it was good. I was dead proud of it from the moment I saw a rough cut."

I'm about to get on to the subject of Ashley Jensen his co-star in Nativity! and another alumnus of the Ricky Gervais/Stephen Merchant fame academy (she played Maggie in Extras) but somehow we're back on the subject of typecasting again. "It [being in a hit like The Office] has its strengths and weaknesses. [If it wasn't for its impact] there's no way people would say, 'Oh, this character is like that character [Tim].' Well, no it isn't! So that is a chore. And I don't want to have to feel defensive about it."

But clearly he does. He knows that he's one of the fortunate ones and that given our cultural antipathy to self-importance we like our celebrities to just shut up and look grateful even hinting at mild dissatisfaction runs the risk of coming off like towering hubris. But he can't help himself: every time the subject dies down, it flares back up again. In the end, all you can do is sit back and admire his energy.

Finally he pauses, takes a breath and laughs. "So, yeah, that's my very undefensive answer to being labelled an everyman. You clearly didn't hit a nerve there."

Martin Freeman: Child's Play
The Office star talks Christmas, kids and cracking comedy
By Paul Gallagher - FutureMovies.co/uk
November 23, 2009

Nativity! is a new comedy from the mind of Debbie Isitt, made using a similar improvisational style, and some of the same cast members, as her previous film, the mock documentary Confetti. As the title suggests, this one has a festive theme, specifically focusing on a Christmas-hating primary school teacher played by Martin Freeman, who is tasked with turning around his school's reputation for poor Christmas shows and putting on a spectacular Nativity. Freeman is no stranger to the world of improv comedy, having made his name in hit BBC series The Office, and worked previously with Isitt as one of Confetti's ensemble cast. We spoke to him about the challenges of working with children, his thoughts on primary school teachers and the enduring appeal of the Nativity story

It's interesting that there's no screenplay credit for this film. How does it work? Does Debbie explain what she wants or is it all completely improvised?

Yeah she does explain. This, probably more so than Confetti, was more explained and locked down. In Confetti, in the course of a scene if characters decided to take it in any direction, that's where the scene and the story went, within reason. But with this it was more you have to get from A to Z, saying this, we need to plot that, and at some point someone needs to say that. Debbie likes the uncertainty, and I think she has enough respect for actors, as good a screenwriter as she is, and she likes to let unexpected things happen that may be, hopefully, better than what she would have had in mind.

So, is Nativity a British answer to the High School Musical phenomenon?

Well, it's a fair question because there is an obvious comparison to be made there, but I think, with these children, it is a bit more accessible. It is a bit more for want of a better word, in a film that's got bloody live camels in a nativity play real. Okay, it's not Ken Loach, but you do see kids messing up, you do see kids failing. They haven't all arrived like mini stars, you see the real experience of it being good or bad or whatever it is. You see the real charm.

How was it trying to hold your own against so many little scene-stealers?

I'm more than happy to have scenes stolen by them, because after all, whatever makes the film right, you know? And Debbie was adamant from the outset that not only did she want a child-friendly film, but she wanted very much a film that all the family could see, including young ones. As far as I�m concerned, the star of the film is the children, that group, and that's the real overriding thing that you come away with. So fortunately in this case I was very happy to be gazumped.

Did making the film give you a newfound respect for primary teachers?

I've always had a great respect for anyone who wants to get in a room with thirty-odd children, and not kill them. It gave me more of an idea of how difficult it would be, certainly, but no, I've always had concrete respect for them. I don't think I have the patience to be a primary school teacher. All the stuff at the start of the film where my character is not in love with the world and he's grumpy; that wasn't all acting. And I'm a dad in real life, so I also drew a lot on my own experience as a dad to get those high-pitched shouts!

Did you put on an actual nativity play?

Yeah, we had to rehearse a lot more than you see in the finished film. We were there for hours and hours going through the choreography and the songs and everything. It was testing., and I definitely drew on my own abilities, or otherwise, to corral children. But I haven't got thirty children; I've got less than that! So there'd be times when I'd be trying to appeal to the older ones, to sort of set a good example, which worked sometimes. And other times they would do what children are supposed to do, kind of arse about a bit.

As a parent, have you had many painful experiences watching awful school plays?

I do genuinely think there's something about watching children doing almost anything that is forgivable, no matter how terrible or otherwise it should be. There's something about the innocence of children trying their best, and not being that knowing, that�s quite charming really. It is one of the things that I really love about this film; it reminds you of watching your own children do stuff. And yes, normally there aren't real camels at the Christmas play, but I think it still holds true, there is something undeniably emotional about watching children, your own especially, but any children I think. There'll be a lot of people in bits as soon as this film starts. I was when I saw it, because it's real; it's not kids pretending to be kids, they're really there trying their best, and however that turns out I find it very moving.

Would you encourage your own children into acting?

I wouldn't actively encourage or discourage them from this life. Both me and my other half are actors and, while of course there are hard bits to it, it's a good life and I'm thankful to it every day. But I think if you're the children of actors you don't need encouragement; you've got a bit of it in you. So I'm just gonna see where that goes with mine.

Would you consider following your Nativity co-star Ashley Jensen and moving to the US to work?

It's interesting, Debbie definitely wanted someone for that role that looked, to a British audience, like they had crossed over to America. So she wanted that parallel to be drawn with Ashley, quite clearly. Personally, I would crawl over broken glass to work on something good, wherever, but I never wanted to go over to the States and just wait around for work. As any actor will tell you, you can stay here and do that! I've worked in the States a couple of times, but I've got a family, and I have a responsibility I think, to not necessarily do that to them. You know, whatever you want out of LA, your family might not want that too.

What do you think is the continual appeal for retelling the Nativity story?

I think it's a great tradition, and it's great that it carries on. I really do think it's the greatest story ever told, and this is just the first bit! I am a sucker for the whole story, and I'll hear it any which way, because I'm endlessly fascinated by the myth and the truth, and every part of it. It's a really, really good story, and I think that there are great truths in it: that great things happen to the smallest, tiniest person, and the least likely child or person ends up elevated to the highest status. If that's not a great parable, or way to think about life, then I don't know what is.

Interview: Martin Freeman on Jesus, redemption and religion
Inspire Magazine
November 20, 2009

Actor Martin Freeman, star of Nativity! which opens in cinemas shortly, talks to Steve Goddard about the Christmas story.

SG: With secular culture so prevalent, why is the school nativity play still so embedded in our culture?

MF: There's a reason why it's called the greatest story ever told. It's a really genuinely good story. Whether you believe in the ramifications of it or not, I think it's a beautiful story with a really beautiful start; the idea that the most humble is the most exalted. That's not a bad idea for me.

Is organised religion the bad end of that original story?

You know, sometimes I think when people have a go at organised religion, it's not necessarily people who have been reading Chomsky and come to this great idea by a lot of research. I've been looking into this and I think a lot of it is laziness. I think organized religion, organised anything, requires commitment and requires an engagement with something and a lot of time we don't want to commit.

Of course, if you talk about the Spanish Inquisition, that's probably the bad end of organised religion. But organised means there's more than 10 people involved, you know what I mean? There were more than 10 people involved because it was an idea people liked. I don't see how you get round it. Do you want disorganised religion? I think everything's got to be personal, anyway. Everything has to be your own personal relationship with something.

Much of the film revolves round the conflict between your character Mr. Maddens - a frustrated, under-achieving, cynical primary school teacher and Mr. Poppy, his child-like classroom assistant, played by Marc Wootton. Mr. Poppy inspires and excites the children while your character calls them 'useless'. Perhaps an underlying theme in the film echoes what Jesus said: 'Unless you become as a little child like Mr. Poppy, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven' - we become too burdened with life to enjoy it.

Yes, I guess there's a reason, I suppose, in film language as well. Who do we like? We like innocence and wide-eyed people. We join Maddens at the start of the film where he doesn't think anything is possible. He thinks he's useless. He thinks the kids are useless, so they're not up to the job. Mr. Poppy, comes in like a bomb, planted in the classroom. He thinks everything is possible. He is definitely the extra child in the room.

There is another interesting parallel with the biblical narrative. Your character, reluctantly, takes these 'useless' kids and turns them into crack troops. Jesus and the disciples?

Hadn't seen it like that, but the reason for me that any of that stuff, the religiosity, has validity is that there some quite good ideas and some quite good things to give to people like the idea of redemption; the idea that we can turn something around. We don't even see those things in religious terms. They are human things, they are part of our language and our culture.

If we are watching films who do we get behind? The underdog. What the flip was Jesus if he wasn't an underdog, born in a bleedin' manger, you know what I mean? I've always loved the story because of that. Because whether you believe or not, that is a more succinct lesson about how we should be looking at the world than anything else. The trouble is we stop looking at the world like that when we take it out of that context. We don't then look at a homeless person and think 'what can I do for you?' We think he must deserve it in some way. It's hard to take out those parallels from something specific and put them into the wider world.

Myra Angelo said a great thing. She said that when people say "I'm a Christian" I say "What, already? How have you managed that?" It's the hardest thing in the world to be. How did you manage that? Tell me the secret because if you really apply that to the world, that's a tough gig, man. That's a really tough gig.

Nativity! opens in cinemas nationwide on 27 November.

Specially recorded interviews are among a range of free resources for schools and churches in connection with the new film. Set in Coventry, the story centres round two primary schools (one Catholic state, one private) vying to stage the best nativity play in town. Nativity! gently explores themes of redemption, reconciliation and the deeper meaning of the season.

"If you are planning to take family, friends or even a school group to a pantomime this Christmas you should consider seeing Nativity! instead," said Nick Pollard of the Damaris Trust. "Instead of putting up with cheap sexual innuendos, you can laugh and cry at one of the most engaging and heartwarming films of the year with some excellent themes to discuss and explore."

Damaris are making available clips from the film with ideas for school assemblies and church services. Visit http://www.damaris.org/nativity

The Press Association: Martin Freeman outnumbered by kids
November 18, 2009

(UKPA) - Martin Freeman has said it was difficult working with so many children on his latest film Nativity.

Martin, 38, stars in the new improvised British comedy film about the trials and tribulations of the humble school nativity play.

He said: "The children were largely brilliant, occasionally difficult just because they're children and they way outnumbered me."

Nativity features a cast of furry extras with animals crowding the traditional stable scene. And remembering the old adage never to work with children and animals, Martin reckons he was lucky his scenes did not feature too many sheep.

He said: "The animals, fortunately I didn't have too much to do with. That probably would have been the toughest bit."

The Office star, who plays a frustrated primary school teacher, paid tribute to his co-star British comedian Marc Wootton, but confessed he was quite a handful on set.

"I think the children combined with Mark Wootton, that's the real clincher," he said. "He's like a big child, he's like another species, Mark."

Like Martin, Nativity also features another British star who received her first big break in a Ricky Gervais comedy. Extras and Ugly Betty star Ashley Jensen plays a Hollywood producer in this largely improvised film, and Martin reckons she was a joy to work with.

He said: "She was easy, really easy. People always say 'Has she gone all Hollywood?'. I wouldn't know because I didn't know her from before really, but really she's everything you would hope, she's normal, whatever British people think normal is."

The film also stars Alan Carr and Ricky Tomlinson.

Martin Freeman has said working with Ricky Gervais was perfect training for handling a classroom full of kids in his new film
Steve Hargraves, showbiz correspondent: Sky.com
November 18, 2009

The Office star plays a heartbroken teacher, desperately trying to create the greatest school play ever in the comedy Nativity, which was largely improvised by the cast.

"After Ricky anything's a walk in the park," joked Freeman. "I think some days they actually assumed I was a teacher.

"There was a real blur between fiction and reality for them because if you are five or six, anything could be going on in your mind. And you're making a film, which is already alien."

Freeman worked with director Debbie Isitt on her previous film Confetti. Although aimed at a slightly older audience, it worked along the same basic premise that nobody in the cast was given a script. In fact, there wasn't one.

"This could have really gone wrong," laughs Freeman. "It seems madness but this is part of the reason I wanted to do it.

"It's very easy to be be bad when you improvise because you talk over each other, you don't listen and I swear too much. Debbie had to keep reminding me it was a kids' film."

Ah yes, the kids. Aside from a surprise appearance from comedian Alan Carr, it is naturally the younger cast members who steal the show in Nativity.

All around eight years old, most of them had never stood in front of a movie camera before. Though they evidently enjoyed the experience of working with Freeman.

"He was a good leader," says Bernard Mensah, whose character TJ gets to dangle from a high wire as the Angel Gabriel. "He said just be yourself and just act like you are in school."

"It was fun," smiles Ben Wilby, who steals the show as the cheeky Bob. "He's a nice gentleman and he gave us some acting tips, and then you are allowed to be wild."

So who else, aside from Freeman obviously, does Ben look up to in the acting world? I'm presuming he's a little young to say De Niro, Pacino or Brando?

"Will Smith, Zac Efron or David Tennant," he belts out excitedly, before giving one final, cheeky parting shot.

"It's time for Zac Efron to move over. He's getting older and he's losing his looks. Who is taking his place? Me!"

New take on the old story
By Kate Whiting
Herald.ie
November 17 2009

Martin Freeman is camera-shy. The impish actor is standing awkwardly in an old- fashioned hotel library flashing a non-smile towards a photographer.

"I wish I had that talent of being able to accept a photograph being taken," he says apologetically.

Almost 10 years since the role of Tim Canterbury in The Office made him famous, Martin still doesn't behave like a celebrity. You'll never catch him being papped at a nightclub or parading his two children in Hello! magazine.

"I don't like it when I see people do it. I don't think they should be put in prison or anything, I just think that it's not for me because I've never wanted to trade on anything else other than the work. I'd rather be at home."

SPOTLIGHT

Whether he likes it or not, Martin is now firmly back in the spotlight promoting Nativity!, his new film.

He plays frustrated actor- turned-primary teacher Mr Maddens, who is tasked with putting on the nativity play and beating the rival posh independent school to a five-star review in the local paper.

But, having been dumped by girlfriend Jennifer (Ashley Jensen) five years ago, Maddens hates Christmas. Struggling to cope with the nativity task, he accidentally boasts to his rival that his ex-girlfriend, now a hotshot producer in LA, is coming over to film the nativity play.

Ignoring the adage about never working with children and animals, Martin threw himself into the film, which is partially improvised and was conceived and directed by Debbie Isitt.

"I loved the idea. I'd worked with Debbie before on Confetti and we had a meeting back in December 2007 about her next idea -- she just described the outline of my character and his journey, and I was hooked."

Martin enjoyed the freedom of being able to improvise.

"Debbie's general MO would be, 'We need to get from this point to this point by the end of the scene -- away you go.' How you get there is down to you, but you have to hit certain landmarks along the way. I think Debbie likes the uncertainty of what can happen in a moment."

With more than 30 kids in most scenes there was plenty of uncertainty -- and Martin is convinced some of the children didn't even know he was an actor.

"For grown-ups it's easier to understand we've got other names that we call each other, but some of the younger children weren't sure if I was an actor or if I was their teacher. Some of them thought of me as Mr Maddens."

It's impossible not to ask Martin whether he ever starred in his own school nativity play as a child, but he insists he can't remember ever being in one.

"I was at a Catholic school so there would have been nativities happening. I remember a lot of Christmas stuff, a lot of mass and jollity, but I don't remember being in a nativity."

His own children are still too young to play Mary and Joseph -- Martin politely declines to give their names and ages -- but he's very keen to bring them up knowing the nativity story.

"Regardless of whether you're a believer and whether you dig it or not, this culture is where we come from, so it's just good to know stuff."

SCHOOL

Martin grew up in the suburbs of London and attended the Central School of Speech and Drama. His acting career began on the stage, and he had roles in The Bill and This Life before The Office changed everything.

But he's adamant that there should never be a reunion of the award-winning sitcom, which ran for only two series.

"I think it would be a mistake, and I trust Ricky and Steve [Merchant] not to have to go back. Unless you've got a fantastic reason for doing something it always feels a bit like an admission of failure or desperation to me."

Nativity! is released in cinemas on Friday November 27.

Actor Martin Freeman's back in snow business with another Yuletide flick
By John Millar - The Daily Record
November 15, 2009

HE starred in one of Britain's favourite Christmas movies.

He was part of one of the most acclaimed festive TV specials ever screened.

And in real life Martin Freeman really is a fully-paid up member of the Christmas fan club.

The 38-year-old, who starred in blockbuster film Love Actually and The Office's festive send-off on BBC, said: "I adore Christmas. I still love it as much as I ever did when I was a child.

"I don't see what there is not to like about Christmas."

It's just as well because Martin is back in the festive spirit on the big screen this year in comedy movie Nativity!

The heart-warming story about two primary schools staging rival Nativity plays, also featuring Scots star Ashley Jensen and funnyman Alan Carr, could have been a real test of Martin's sense of goodwill to all.

The dad of two spent a lot of time competing with very talented youngsters. But he got a kick out of it.

He said: "I was more than happy to have a scene stolen by these kids.

"As far as I was concerned, the children were the stars of this film."

He also admits it was an emotional experience when he watched Nativity! for the first time. "I was in bits. I found it very moving," he said.

"I really do think the Nativity is the greatest story ever told. I'm a sucker for it and will hear it any which way. I am fascinated by every part of it."

In Nativity! Martin plays a teacher who has turned into a bit of a Scrooge because he associates Christmas with being dumped by his girlfriend, who then shot off to the bright lights of Los Angeles.

But in real life the star, whose films include Confetti and The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, is full of all the joys of the season and always has been.

"At school, I remember being very excited once December came round," he said. "It was a lovely thing. We would do festive things and there would be a lot of emphasis on the meaning of Christmas.

"Of course, I also loved the giving and getting bit."

The only part of the festive season that doesn't interest Martin is the turkey dinner - he's a vegetarian.

He said: "I am pescetarian really because I eat fish but not meat.

"But the Christmas meal is no problem. I often have fish or a total veggie thing. I don't know yet what we are having at Christmas. I'll let that be a surprise.

"I have no desire eat meat. I remember I used to quite like the taste. Then when I was 14, I stopped eating it."

Martin, who lives in Hertfordshire with actress Amanda Abbington and their two children, likes to maintain festive traditions from his childhood.

He said: "My mum always thought it was dreadful that Christmas stuff was being advertised in September or October. So guess I still have that feeling in me," he said.

"Nowadays we put the tree up fairly late. I loved Christmas in my home and a tradition I have carried on is opening one present in the morning before the meal and the rest afterwards.

"So you don't just come down and rip open all the gifts."

He was brought up in Aldershot the youngest of five, with three older brothers and an elder sister.

"I guess it wasn't easy for my folks," he said. "But we didn't believe that just because it was Christmas you were entitled to lots of stuff.

"I suppose that goes against the idea that it's Christmas so we are entitled to gorge ourselves or have to take out a second mortgage to pay for everything."

Although he has a sensible attitude towards Christmas being over commercialised, Martin is no holy Willie.

He said: "I am not trying to pretend that at Christmas I will be sitting reading from the Book of Luke by a candle - because I love buying presents.

"It's so nice to bring a bit of happiness to others and I find it quite easy to buy something for my other half.

"Of course, it could be that for all these years I have been getting it wrong and she actually hates my presents."

He laughs when I wonder whether he's ever had to use his acting skills to give the impression he adored a present that he actually loathed.

"I am sure I must have done," admitted Martin. "But unless someone bought me Mein Kampf, I don't think I would ever loath a gift."

Martin confesses that he can get very emotional and finds it hard to hide it.

"I cry at RSPCA commercials on the telly," he said. "I think you just have to let it go."

So it's no surprise to discover that as a schoolboy he was deeply affected by a festive visit to the cinema.

He revealed: "I saw ET and it made me cry for weeks. I was almost too moved.

"I think I was paralysed with emotion. I thought about it for weeks.

"The last time I saw it on telly I cried. I was watching with my three year-old son Joe, who had never seen it before. He couldn't take his eyes off it. It was moving seeing it through his eyes."

Christmas music is also high on the list of things Martin enjoys. "I like carols like Once In Royal David's City or Silent Night, which are so beautiful," he said.

"I also like Little Drummer Boy by David Bowie and Bing Crosby. I find that very moving. There is a lot of stuff like that that brings a tear to my eye.

"I know it's boring but I like John And Yoko's Merry Xmas (War Is Over). That really means something to me."

Nativity! is in cinemas from November 27.

Email: lmr909@hotmail.com