Most enjoyable.
Apart from the rather overenthusiastic pair of knees in the cramped seat behind me I can really think of nothing negative to say about the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s performance of The Bible, the latest in their comedically shortened versions of history. The RSC has been running for some years now, starting with the reduction of some of the longer works of the Bard and progressing to a reduced “Complete Works”.
Sunday night’s version of the Bible took place in the Theatre at Headington, a modern edifice in Headington Girls School. Having never seen either the theatre or the RSC I was unsure of what to expect. The theatre was comfortable and the backdrop for the coming performance three simple hangings depicting something typically religious in the cherubs and pointing fingers department. This, however, was the last vestige of religion. Not being a great Bible reader myself I cannot say how factually accurate the performance was but I can say it was incredibly funny.
The first act began with the creation of Adam, followed by the creation of Eve from one of Adam’s ribs in a comedy Alien-style skit with a doll bursting from the shirt of Simon Cole, one of the three performers. As my partner pointed out, this was rather slap-stick and set the tone for the rest of the evening. The remains of the old testament were covered extremely well by Cole and his co-actors Jack Bennett and John Kielty with highlights being the ten commandments (“thou shalt not elect a president of inferior intellect….twice”), a ‘slow-mo’ fight between David and Goliath and a particularly rousing song covering the difference between Elisha and Elijah, new Joseph and old Joseph and all the various other characters from the Bible with ridiculously repetitive names.
Act two consisted of the new testament. Or rather act two would have consisted of the new testament except the recurring theme of Noah’s ark reappeared, courtesy of Cole who had his own model of the ark (hand carved). The result of this obsession was a highly amusing section of audience participation, stirring renditions of “Old Man Noah Had an Ark” (Old MacDonald in disguise) and a super soaker. After being made to sing AND getting wet the rest of the play rather became a blur which was rounded off by a highly amusing song called “That’s Armageddon”.
Overall I would definitely recommend going to see the RSC. All three of Sunday’s performers were gifted comics with a great flair for improvisation and audience involvement as well as being talented musicians and singers. An extremely amusing and delightful evening.