Theatre / Reviews
Review: The Passion of Living Spit, Tobacco Factory Theatres – ‘Pure chaos and hilarity’
“Do you guys know any good bars in Jerusalem? I feel like getting absolutely nailed tonight.”
Spoken in a thick, inexplicably northern accent, those were the words of Jesus Christ in one of the opening scenes of Living Spit’s latest production, giving some indication of the level of humour we went on to be delighted by over the next two hours.
The Passion of Living Spit is a comedic retelling of the Easter story, and the first production from the much-loved theatre company without its co-founder, Howard Coggins, who died in November after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis in 2022.
is needed now More than ever
Howard and Living Spit’s other co-founder, Stu McLoughlin, came up with some of the ideas for the project together but abandoned it when the veteran actor became ill.
Stepping into the pure chaos and hilarity in Howard’s place was Beverly Rudd playing Jesus, Peta Maurice playing Mary Magdalene and Judas Iscariot, with McLoughlin playing most of the other parts including 12 disciples, Mary and Satan. The trio seamlessly switched between roles – whether that be a quick change of accent or hat.
As you’d expect from these esteemed storytelling theatre-makers, the show is an absurd, multi-character romp, this time poking fun at the sometimes incredible tales told in the Bible with songs, silliness and multiple references to Jesus coming on a donkey (wink, wink). It’s probably best for devout Christians to look away.
How did the breaking of bread at the Last Supper actually happen? With the sharing of poppadoms and Kingfisher lager at the local Indian, obviously. How did Jesus know his disciple Judas was going to betray him? Through a dramatic game of ‘Guess Who?’ of course.
Using an abundance of props but an extremely minimal stage set only with a screen and a structure that ultimately becomes a mount for Jesus’ crucifix, the three performers worked overtime to conjure up a whole series of wonderfully inventive scenes.
Particularly brilliant is a game of University Challenge where the 12 dysfunctional disciples, all played by McLoughlin and Maurice, battle it out for Jesus’ approval, deftly navigating each character’s accent from around the British Isles and some super-smooth headwear changes.
By the end, we are sad to see the Jack-the-lad son of God, who is sure his dad is going to pick him up “before anything really bad happens”, having to nail himself to the cross because of “staff shortages”.
However, any sympathy we feel is quickly replaced by laughter when McLoughlin appears as the Virgin Mary and deadpan asks her dying son: “What is sex like?”
If you like your humour quickfire and slapstick, then this show is for you, going down a treat with the Tobacco Factory audience on opening night on Good Friday who were in fits of giggles and cheered their approval throughout, as Living Spit embarked on the next chapter of its Horrible-Histories-for-adults theatre.
‘The Passion of Living Spit’ is at Tobacco Factory Theatres until April 13. For tickets and more information, visit www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/the-passion-of-living-spit
Main photo: Paul Groom
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