‘The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged)’ was written in 2000 by Reed Martin, Adam Long and Austin Tichenor, with additional material by Matthew Croke (it was then further abridged in May 2005). This hilarious and irreverent, Leigh Fitzpatrick production is being presented by the Modicum Theatre Perth Inc. at the Nexus Theatre, Murdoch University, South Street Campus, Murdoch.
Car Park 3 (free of charge), top far end, is closest to the theatre.
The Modicum Theatre group comprises a bunch of friends who did school plays together at Perth Modern, and wished to reform for a bit of fun – fun for them and fun for the audience.
The shows are nightly until Saturday 11th July, with a standard ticket price of only $10. Curtain up on the 2-hour, roller coaster performance at 6.30.
The set is simple, with a lectern to the left and an electric keyboard to the right. The second Act has a huge, magnificent painting of the Last Supper (artwork by Tatiane van den Akker and Bram Kotzee).
There is a crash of thunder and God’s voice – a woman of course – introduces us to Adam (Bram Kotzee) and Eve (Sarah Lewis), but did I spot an unlikely navel? To the catchy musical accompaniment of Joseph Sabbagh, we are welcomed irrespective of our religion, on a strange journey through the Bible. Each of the actors changes parts several times, in this madcap blend of heretic tales, in the form of an adult pantomime combined with ‘The Young Ones’.
You will meet Abraham (Lincoln – thanks to Sean Mackey) and Tony Abbott on the way.
We witness the dramatic and moving birth of Jesus by Mary (Rachel Bate), and then meet the three wise men. After the building of the Ark, one could almost feel the storm in the air as the animals – with the aid of the audience – climbed aboard.
The blasphemous ripping yarns continue to Armageddon, when the troupe is led by Melody Schnauer in the BIG finish.
Jamie Cook has directed a slick, fast-moving romp, packed with sight gags and jokes of the quality that only grandparents would tell; however, with the wonderful delivery by this cast of buffoons, the giggles (and groans) were guaranteed.
The technicians under the supervision of John King were on the ball for lighting, Kiah Van Vlijmen and for sound Ryan Partridge. Stephanie Ferguson, Joel Armstrong and Em Dickinson managed the numerous stage props.
This enthusiastic cast set out to give the audience not necessarily the best acting ever, but rather a really good laugh. They were excellent, throwing all they had into squeezing every smile from the zany script.