Not for the faint of heart
Lynn Freeman
Christ Almighty!, directed by Sophie Roberts, Bats Theatre, reviewed by Lynn Freeman
OMG! An irreverent retelling of the nativity as seen through the eyes an innkeeper who’s reminiscent of good old Chloe (as played by Sophie Hambleton), of a smoking, swearing angel (a divine Ben Crawford) who’s jealous of the plain and now pregnant to God Virgin Mary, of an oversexed shepherd (Jed Brophy in delightful form), of the despicable King Herod (Phil Grieve), and of course though the blessed parents themselves – and their donkey.
Now in case you get confused by the names I’ve thrown into that mix, they may well be different in the night you go.
This is part of the charm of Dan Musgrove and Natalie Medlock’s wickedly clever and funny script. Four actors share each role. They had a minimum of time with the busy director Sophie Roberts, but you wouldn’t know it. Except perhaps for a couple of the cast on Friday night who appealed to the ‘angel in the box’ when their lines eluded them. It was all part of the fun.
It’s a great way to end the year, where old hands and up and comers take to the stage and have a heap of fun with these crazy characters who inhabit Bethlehem – it might be a s++thole according to the innkeeper, a place that doesn’t deserve God’s blessing, but it’s a great place to hang out in the lead up to Christmas. Highly recommended, though not for the easily offended.
OMG! An irreverent retelling of the nativity as seen through the eyes an innkeeper who’s reminiscent of good old Chloe (as played by Sophie Hambleton), of a smoking, swearing angel (a divine Ben Crawford) who’s jealous of the plain and now pregnant to God Virgin Mary, of an oversexed shepherd (Jed Brophy in delightful form), of the despicable King Herod (Phil Grieve), and of course though the blessed parents themselves – and their donkey.
Now in case you get confused by the names I’ve thrown into that mix, they may well be different in the night you go.
This is part of the charm of Dan Musgrove and Natalie Medlock’s wickedly clever and funny script. Four actors share each role. They had a minimum of time with the busy director Sophie Roberts, but you wouldn’t know it. Except perhaps for a couple of the cast on Friday night who appealed to the ‘angel in the box’ when their lines eluded them. It was all part of the fun.
It’s a great way to end the year, where old hands and up and comers take to the stage and have a heap of fun with these crazy characters who inhabit Bethlehem – it might be a s++thole according to the innkeeper, a place that doesn’t deserve God’s blessing, but it’s a great place to hang out in the lead up to Christmas. Highly recommended, though not for the easily offended.
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