Review: The Messiah

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POSTED: 19 NOVEMBER 2009

The Messiah, by Patrick Barlow

Tasmanian Theatre Company | Backspace Theatre, Hobart | Until 28 November

In Patrick Barlow’s recreation of the greatest story ever told, director Charles Parkinson offers us the perfect antidote to what has been a testing year for everyone — an evening of eye-watering, side-splitting, leg-crossing hilarity.

Lest anyone find its premise offensive, be assured The Messiah does not mock religious belief. Au contraire.

Its target is theatre itself, as exemplified in the National Theatre of Tranmere, run by pretentious local thespian Desmond Olivier Dingle (Iain Lang).

Dingle’s grandiose vision — to recreate the Nativity with a cast of thousands (played by just two actors and an opera singer) — is matched only by an over-estimation of his own talent and a patronising disdain for his put-upon sidekick, Raymond Box (Guy Hooper).

Lang and Hooper are simply outstanding as the dysfunctional double act.

Memories of Hooper’s physical comedy as he is obliged to perform an ever-increasing number of bit parts (including the funniest mime sequence never written) will have you chortling well into next week.

Noreen Le Mottee, appearing as herself, exhibits her customary comedic and operatic chops.

Bulging with sight gags, low-rent costumes, ludicrously inept dialogue (of the best kind) and dozens of silly hats, this manic mash-up of pantomime and mystery play lampoons every instance of bad theatre you’ve ever had to sit through.

Prepare yourselves for panto-style audience participation and some truly magical moments that manage, despite the mayhem, to restore one’s faith in the miracle of Christmas. Unmissable!

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