Sheffield Lyceum – until 10 November 2018
Reviewed by Lottie Davis-Browne
4****
The Messiah is an hilarious new play – actually it’s a play-within-a play, featuring a cast of three – comedian and impressionist Hugh Dennis, actor John Marquez (best known for his role as PC Joe Penhale in ITV’s “Doc Martin”) and opera singer Lesley Garrett (ironically playing the role of an Opera Singer), in this unique and highly addictive rendition of “the greatest story ever told” (nope not Harry Potter – the OTHER greatest story ever told – the one of the birth of Jesus!….although personally I think Harry Potter makes more sense than the immaculate conception of Mary!)
The Christmas production by The Maurice Rose Players, a theatre company with just three remaining members – the groups creator – Maurice Rose (Hugh Dennis), Ronald Bream (John Marquez) and the diva of an opera singer, Mrs Leonora Fflyte (Lesley Garrett).
Group leader Maurice is the typical self worshipping, patronising company director (I’m sure we have all met a boss or coach like Maurice – my own being the ballet schools’ owner who would sit and watch my teachers classes, demoralising and putting fear in people’s abilities – including my poor wonderful teachers), who despite Ronald’s loyalty to the Company still makes Ronald doubt his acting abilities. Ronald is shy and rather dim but loveable with it. Despite only three remaining members, the group are still in full swing for their take on the famous Christmas nativity, even when diva “Mrs F” doesn’t make her appearance on time…!
Playing everything from Herod, the three wise men, Angel Gabriel and of course Mary and Joseph, the three theatre company members take us on the journey to Bethlehem with plenty of slapstick comedy, audience participation, play on words, deliberate mis-pronunciation of words, the show is virgin on the ridiculous…(see what I did there?!)
John Marquez provides laughs a plenty, in fact there’s so many jokes and gags it’s hard not to miss any, but the most memorable side spitting gags include Marquez cycling across the stage on a vintage bike dressed as a member of Midwife team from “Call The Midwife” as Mary and Joseph realise it’s time to “call the Midwife” as Mary is having her “main attractions” (contractions).
Dennis also provides bags of comedy, and moments of madness as Maurice has a meltdown. With audience participation (yes I was chosen by Marquez along with several other audience members, to do some of the callouts and plenty of sensational singing from Garrett including a soothing and hypnotic “Silent Night”.
Usually the thought of watching anything remotely biblical is enough to send me to sleep, however, The Messiah brings the same kind of humour to the stage as the likes of “The Play That Goes Wrong” and “The Comedy About A Bank Robbery”, making it perfect comedy for an adults only festive night out. (Not suitable for children!)