What: In The Beginning…. The Odd Testament by Short Attention Span
Where:
Trades Hall
When: Wed to
Sat until December 21, 2002
Time: 8pm
Bookings: 9685 5111
Reviewer:
Kate Herbert
Messing
about with the Bible might be considered naughty but In The Beginning is a very
sweet, entertaining show about some dysfunctional biblical couples.
Performers
Alice Carter and Krisztian Bagin with director John Bolton blend speeches from
The Old Testament with stories about Adam and Eve, Mr and Mrs Moses and Noah
and wife.
The result is a short, witty, modern clown show with original songs by The Soubrettes and live music by Steven Lindsay .
The pair is
dressed in scruffy, Eastern European 40's gear. Carter wears a gold top and
feathered hat, Bagin a baggy green suit.
They might
be World War Two Jewish migrants living in their run-down kitchen with laminex
table and antique washing machine.
Bagin is a
gifted comic performer with a mobile face and charming manner while the warm
and voluptuous Carter carries a cabaret tune with great verve.
The show
begins with day one of the universe. " Let there be light," Carter
drones dryly like a bored cabaret singer and an off-stage God turns on a single
globe.
Adam and Eve
meet, fall in lust, naively investigate the Garden of Eden and all its
treasures. Finally, they must contend with the drudgery of domestic life.
Bagin is
hilarious as Adam trying to appease his over-worked wife. He tries valiantly
and hopelessly to do the ironing to ease her load.
Ironic
references to the biblical stories arise; "Adam, one day Cain is really
going to hurt his brother," says Eve.
On Mount
Sinai, Mrs Moses demands that Moses chisel her Ten Commandments in stone.
"You will pay me a compliment at least once a week - and mean it."
Bagin
clambering up the mountain clumsily hauling stones tablets is very funny
physical comedy.
Director,
Bolton, keeps the rhythm unpredictable and the visual and verbal gags coming
fast.
Another
element introduced part way into the show is the exotic cabaret singer, (Tania
Kyriakou) who croons songs about love and survival. This character needs some
further integration into the show.
In the
Beginning is a happy, peppy piece that is worth a look and giggle. It certainly
is the Odd Testament.
By Kate
Herbert
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