Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Sunday, March 16

Godspell – Hope Mill Theatre Online

Like the show itself, I’m going to wear my heart on my sleeve from the very beginning. I’m so glad I liked this production, because to dislike Godspell would be a very sad thing.

Conceived and directed by Michael Strassen, if ever there was an illustration of how to make lemonade when life hands you lemons, this 50th anniversary production is it. The pandemic which makes this version necessary is incorporated into the piece and sits so comfortably, it could have always been there.

Whereas on stage Godspell is very much an ensemble piece, of necessity in this presentation there is more focus on the songs and the performers. And what performers. The cream of west end stars are lined up for us. I doubt a live version would pull so many together and I doubt a live version would allow us to have Ruthie Henshall tempt us to “Turn back o man” with just a bubble of Radox to cover her modesty!

The narrative, what there is of it, is based on the Gospel of St. Matthew and is told in a series of sung parables culminating in the crucifixion of Jesus. The spoken word of the original is omitted in this concert version, and with it some opportunity for comic moments. Even in this sung through version, there could have been some playfulness in songs like “We Beseech Thee” sung well by Jerome Bell. Ria Jones does manage humour very nicely in her rendition of “Learn your lessons well”.  This is the only criticism you will hear from me though.

After 50 years, I guess there is a danger the songs will become dated, but with only modest re- arrangement of some notes, this is not the case here. From the plaintive “All good gifts” beautifully presented by Sam Tutty to Alison Jiear tearing lumps out of “Bless the Lord”, the music is as fresh, vibrant and captivating as the day it was written. One standout musical moment is “By my side” performed by Lucy Williamson and Shekinah McFarlane, in the solitude of my front room, it induced tears and would have done so in a theatre too. The songs are well supported by a talented young chorus from Italia Conti Academy and a very together band is under the direction of George Carter. The logistics of pulling all that lot together is an art form born of this current crisis and one I’m sure that will be used when it’s all over.

Presented in aid of Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, Acting for Others and The National Aids Fund. Treat yourself to an hour of loveliness. If you don’t fall in love with this Godspell, it will be a very sad thing.

Available online until the 31st August https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/godspell  

Reviewer: Philip Edwards

Reviewed: 27th August 2020

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★

0Shares