Paradise Lost REVIEW Darebin Speakeasy, July 21, 2022 ***1/2

THEATRE

Created by Bloomshed 

At Northcote Town Hall Art Centre until July 30, 2022 

Reviewer: Kate Herbert 

Stars: ***1/2 

This review was first published in The Age Arts in print and online on Monday July 25 2022. Click this link to read at The Age online: Paradise Lost KH

Paradise Lost_James Malcher & Elizabeth Brennan-photo Sarah Walker

Bloomshed’s bastardised and bonkers reimagining of John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost is a literary, political and religious satire with a fair dose of blasphemy.

 

There is much to recommend in this production, not least of which are the remarkable, floral set design (Nathan Burmeister) and the inspired and hilarious opening that features lighting trickery (John Collopy) and a cast of tiny cherubs. Milton is satirised mercilessly – described dismissively as “a blind, 17th century Protestant poet” – and his celebrated work is stripped down to its narrative essence in this contemporary interpretation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

 

The Lord God John Milton (James Malcher), a pompous poseur in ridiculously oversized headgear, narrates from his balcony while The Scribe (Anna Louey), seated in the audience, takes notes. Meanwhile, Archangel Michael (Emily O’Connor), a smug corporate executive type responsible for the idyllic garden, announces the launch of a perfect “lovemaking, toiling and worshipping machine” that will relieve the angels of all duties. Welcome Adam (Edan Goodall)!

 

Archangel Lucifer (James Jackson) objects to Adam being used as a machine so Michael chases Lucifer away with only an armful of cherubs for company. Michael creates Eve (Elizabeth Brennan) from Adam’s rib then trains Adam and Eve like Pavlov’s dogs to do their daily chores of “sexing”, toiling and worshipping. It all goes wrong of course, and Lucifer returns, manipulates Eve into eating the apple and the garden is revealed to be a plastic, corporate sham.

 

Jackson has impeccable timing and witty delivery as the seductive, charming Lucifer who is passionate about saving Adam from servitude. O’Connor is commanding as Michael, playing him as a smarmy, charismatic evangelist running a campaign to lure investors into the garden development. Goodall’s Adam and Brennan’s Eve are sweetly silly and naïve, although their dialogue is almost incomprehensible during all their running, toiling and sexing.

 

This reconstruction of Paradise Lost is a barbed commentary on political corruption, capitalism, environmental damage and social responsibility. It includes sharp, satirical dialogue and clever visual comedy such as Lucifer’s interminable elevator ride to Hell accompanied by a musak version of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire. The earlier parts of the show feature cunningly written, well performed monologues, particularly by Jackson and O’Connor, but the final scenes feel confused and have an edge of hysteria.

 

The audience laughs at the last parodic scene and the anachronistic introduction of Jesus, but the final image is poignant, even tragic rather than comical. It would be interesting to know which – if any – other sacred cows this company would be willing to sacrifice.

 

By Kate Herbert

Paradise Lost_Edan Goodall, Elizabeth Brennan -photo Sarah Walker

 

 

 

 

Cast:

 Eve - Elizabeth Brennan

Adam - Edan Goodall

Archangel Lucifer - James Jackson

Archangel Michael – Emily O’Connor

Our Lord God John Milton- James Malcher

The Scribe - Anna Louey

The Understudy _Laura Aldous

Jesus - Sam Nix

 

Creative Team:

Set and Costume Designer - Nathan Burmeister

Sound Design/Dramaturg - Justin Gardam

Lighting Designer- John Collopy

 

Production was created by James Jackson, Elizabeth Brennan, Justin Gardam, John Collopy, James Malcher, Emily O’Connor, Edan Goodall and Zachary Dunbar.