Review: Christ Almighty!

By Jodi Yeats

Christ Almighty! is an absolute hoot, I haven’t laughed so much in ages, or had so much fun at a performance.

It is an x-rated nativity, based loosely on the Biblical story, but not a show any sensible Christian would attend, unless they were prepared to be severely offended.

There’s an abused donkey, an alcoholic archangel, a shepherd who fancies both sheep and angels (angels have needs too), and apparently it is Josef who has been abusing the donkey.

Actors supply their own costumes and the shepherd’s bulging budgie-smugglers, the donkey’s grey jumpsuit, and Josef’s stubbies held high with a rope belt, worn with buck teeth and a blonde wig, were all knock-outs.

This is edgy theatre and one of the most appealing aspects is the actors’ vulnerability. They have had minimal preparation before going onstage and are encouraged to interact with the audience, so there is a strong aspect of improvisation, which really worked for me and, judging by the nonstop laughter, the rest of the opening night audience.

When you see celebrated actors muffing their lines, it all just adds to the hilarity. Madeline Sami played all three wise men, but, unlike in her polished performances as multiple characters in The Vagina Monologues and Number Two, it was hard to tell two of the three wise men apart – not that anyone minded.

There is a total pool of more than 40 actors who each have three hours with one of two directors (Cameron Rhodes and Colin Moy) and one dress rehearsal on the first night they go on stage.

From then on through the season, the actors only find out on the day whether they’ll be one of the eight actors on stage that night. It is a show you could go back to several times to enjoy it interpreted by different actors (check when you book).

Cameron Rhodes said people did this last year when The Basement put on The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, a US play which inspired this one. While I had some misgivings about the “local version”, there was no need: Christ Almighty! had loads of wonderful lines and could stand tall in any fringe theatre in the world.

Christ Almighty!
By Natalie Medlock and Dan Musgrove
Directed by Cameron Rhodes and Colin Moy

The Basement
Until 19 Dec at 8pm (no show Sunday)
Tickets $32 adults, $25 concessions
Book at iticket.co.nz, door sales