Cast: Andro Cowperthwaite, JP Lord, Ben Peterson, Brian Merry, Daniel Collard, Edward Smith, James Georgiou, Lucas Arthur Englander, Samuel Caseley, Samuel James Morgan, Stephen Gibbons, Thomas Winsor
Written by: Terrence McNally
Director: John Fricker
Synopsis: We are going to tell you an old and familiar story. One you’ve all heard over and over, again and again. One you believe or one you don’t. There’s no suspense and fewer surprises. You all know how it turns out. But it’s a story that bears repeating. Some say it can’t be told enough.
Terrence McNally’s Corpus Christi, not staged in 13 years due to its controversial themes surrounding the Christian faith, is a re-telling of the rise of Jesus Christ from ordinary student, to leader of dedicated men, to religious outcast put to death. In McNally’s script Jesus and his Apostles are gay men living in 1950’s Texas. It follows Jesus (referred to as Joshua) from his birth in a down-and-out hotel room, being bullied at school for being bi-curious, having a relationship with fellow student Judas and following the internal call of his father to become a better man and go in search of his life’s meaning.
Perhaps it is down to the culture we live in or that other, more controversial, shows like Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon are currently being produced to critical acclaim and audience fervour but controversy was not the governing theme here. The fact that Jesus/Joshua was being depicted as a gay man was simply an intrinsic part of the re-telling, not the basis of it. The humour of McNally’s writing combined with a genuinely talented ensemble cast allowed the story to dominate and the acting to stand out.
The comradery of the disciples should be a difficult task; these 12 men who dedicate their lives to follow one and his teachings in difficult and trying circumstances with seemingly very little in common. However; from the moment the audience steps into the theatre the bond is apparent. It is the actors who usher the audience to their seat and warm up together on the stage. From the moment they are baptised as their characters to the drunken antics of the last supper there is a genuine bond between them that is inescapable. The cast also demonstrates a versatility that is surprisingly strong and are able to adapt seamlessly between the several characters each must portray. Andro Cowperthwaite is quietly strong, kind and generous but equally flawed as Jesus/Joshua and JP Lord is menacing and passionate as his ultimate betrayer Judas. Each cast member gave depth and poignancy to his character(s) which made the production triumphant.
With the prevalent controversy from 13 years ago not present, audiences are free to focus on the re-telling itself where the storyline and performances delight. It’s an alternative Christmas story this December but one worth revisiting.
Corpus Christi is playing at The Space Theatre until December 14th and you can book tickets here
72 St Andrews Drive, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 2ND
