The Bible: The Complete Word of God (Abridged)

An interesting choice of production, the audience was smaller than I usually see at CTW’s productions, so I wonder if the title put some people off? 

The three actors involved in this performance worked very hard and each had their own character.  Clare Woodward seemed to take the lead at the beginning, but this was, very much, a collaborative performance and both Bruce Thomson and Rob Evans came to the fore in due course.

I did find the constant going on and off stage very off putting and somewhat confusing.  In this type of performance, it is usual for many of the props and costumes to be on stage so that the actors are able to switch as required.  I honestly don’t know how they kept track of what they were doing and which entrance they were using!  I think that, had they been manipulating the costumes and props on stage it would have made for a smoother production.  However, as I don’t know the script, I don’t know if this was as written or as directed.

I feel that, if the cast are going to be wearing blacks, and I do think this was the right thing to do, they should have been more uniform.  One of the actors appeared to be wearing a dark navy top, although this could just have been a very faded black one.  Large new black tee shirts would have been better all round.  The prop costumes were very good.

Personally, I didn’t find the script to be as funny as I had been led to believe.  However, the actors have to work with the script and work they did.  They had bundles of energy, loads of different expressions and watching any show in this small intimate theatre is always a joy as the audience feel connected with the cast.  All three actors were word perfect, at least they seemed to be, and that, in itself is a major achievement in this very wordy play.  Not too sure about the singing, not their best strength I would say but it worked in the context of the play.

The second half of the play was more interesting and the Noah’s Ark story, using members of the audience, was excellent.  I particularly liked the animal masks.

Caroline Froy is credited with choregraphing the songs and Richards Dawes is credited for the fight scene, with numerous other members and friends for supporting the company and the show.

Overall an interesting evening and I learnt some new things about the Bible!

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