The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

Godspell at Hackney Empire

Godspell at Hackney Empire | Theatre review
7 April 2015
ME Oren
Avatar
ME Oren
7 April 2015

Still considered one of the most revived musicals of the last 40 years, the original production of Godspell had a long run both on and off Broadway in the 70s, with more than 2,600 performances. The show had a Broadway revival on its 40th anniversary in 2011, with a fresh vision and new music from Stephen Schwatz.godspellpic

This religious musical, now touring the UK supported by different choirs for each respective city, sets to bring to life a range of Biblical stories, centring mainly on the teachings of Jesus Christ according on the Gospels of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. With a relatively large ensemble, the Vaudeville show pulls out a host of theatrical devices including some mildly amusing sketches, a slightly confusing take on story theatre and, thankfully, highly uplifting songs courtesy of The American Musical Theatre Academy choir (for the London leg of the show) to depict Jesus’ teaching on love and community.

There is a clear move to make this production cool and contemporary with comical references to celebrities and popular culture that will get a few laughs but, at times, especially for those who grew up as church-going Christians, it will feel like being back in Sunday school. The attempts at interactivity by involving audience members push it towards the pantomime corner.

The fact that the spine of the cast seem to be a selection of also-rans from television talent shows cannot be ignored. But this is mainly a light script without any deeply challenging dialogues, and probably the best way to introduce to musical theatre the likes of Leanne Jarvis and Mitch Miller (recent contestants of BBC’s The Voice) and Andy Abraham from the X Factor circa 2006. The stand-out performances, however, come from the accomplished Tom Senior (playing Jesus) and a very impressive Dominique Planter, portraying the likes of Gordon Ramsey and Kanye West in the first act vignettes before belting out her enchanting solo, By My Side, in the second act.

Also worth mentioning is the bizarre musical interlude  –  described as a sing-song, led by Miller and Abraham –  that the audience is treated to during the interval. The bout of vocal gymnastics by the TV talent show singers, despite the beautiful sound, comes across as awkwardly showy. Like Darius Dannesh’s impromptu Britney Spears performance in Pop Stars all those years ago, this little showpiece is uncalled for, their colleagues cheerleading the audience as they strained every sinew of their vocal chords cringeworthy.

This revival of Godspell is not as enlightening or inspiring as it was in the 70s, but it’s still a thoroughly enjoyable piece of uplifting family entertainment.

★★★★★

ME Oren
Photo: Darren Bell

Godspell was at Hackney Empire until 5th April 2015, for further information about the tour visit here.

Related Itemsgospellhackney empire

More in Theatre

Rita at Charing Cross Theatre

★★★★★
Mae Trumata
Read More

Ed Fringe 2022: Hungry

★★★★★
Ella Satin
Read More

Royal Ballet School students return to the stage for post-Covid performances

The editorial unit
Read More

“Theatre is totally unique… there’s simply nothing else quite like it”: An interview with Sir Howard Panter as the new cast of Jersey Boys opens at Trafalgar Theatre

Natallia Pearmain
Read More

Jersey Boys bring on a new cast at Trafalgar Theatre

Natallia Pearmain
Read More

All of Us at the National Theatre

★★★★★
Mersa Auda
Read More

Midsummer Mechanicals at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

★★★★★
Alexandra Fletcher
Read More

Camden Fringe 2022: The Importance of Being Anxious at Museum of Comedy

★★★★★
James Humphrey
Read More

Camden Fringe 2022: Rome 3000 (Julius Caesar) at Canal Cafe Theatre

★★★★★
Cristiana Ferrauti
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Theatre review

ME Oren

Godspell

★★★★★

Dates

Ends on 5th April 2015

Links & directions

WebsiteNo map

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Nope
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Ed Fringe 2022: Hungry
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Kasabian – The Alchemist’s Euphoria
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Eiffel
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Tips for creating a peaceful home
    Feature of the week
  • Kasabian – The Alchemist’s Euphoria
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Rita at Charing Cross Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Ed Fringe 2022: Hungry
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • “Even people who’ve been through adversity might say ‘Well, I wouldn’t change anything because I wouldn’t be who I am'”: Eva Noblezada and Flula Borg on Luck
    Cinema & Tv
  • “Film offers a way of looking at the past, the present and the future simultaneously. That’s its wonder”: Sarah Beddington on Fadia’s Tree
    Cinema & Tv
  • Kasabian – The Alchemist’s Euphoria
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Rita at Charing Cross Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • “Even people who’ve been through adversity might say ‘Well, I wouldn’t change anything because I wouldn’t be who I am'”: Eva Noblezada and Flula Borg on Luck
    Cinema & Tv
  • Nope
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Five Days at Memorial
    ★★★★★
    apple
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Woman in Gold: An interview with director Simon Curtis
Good Kill | Movie review