The Stage

The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged)

Published Friday 16 January 2004 at 10:05 by Sally Bramley

What with the current religious conflicts sweeping the globe you might think audiences would dwindle for comic hardy perennials the Reduced Shakespeare Company and their production of The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged), but apparently not.

Far from it. The alternative RSC is still packing them in and leaving them rolling in the aisles for the show, which gives a whistle stop tour through both the Old and New Testaments - complete with Old McNoah song and Last Supper - which, considering there are only three performers, is a quite a feat.

In fact, you do wonder a bit how they do it. Sure, the show is funny and has the audience on its side from the beginning but despite some current affairs references, much of the material is predictable and obvious.

However, where the RSC has undoubtedly struck gold is in the performers. Kyle Dadd, John Schwab and the excellent Simon Jermond appear to be having such a fantastic time, you can’t help but join in. They have an easy rapport, both with each other and the audience, which pulls the performance together despite some of the hackneyed gags.

The show was conceived in Edinburgh and the production still has an extremely Fringey-feel, combining complete chaos and slapstick with audience participation, which works well in the intimate setting of the Criterion.

Elsewhere, the production is slick. The set and lighting are simple but effective and the use of background music just adds to the comedy.

The Complete Word of God (abridged) isn’t a challenging or particularly innovative show. It’s not big, it’s not clever but it’s definitely funny.