Christmas seems to be almost upon us, or so we are lead to believe given the frantic messages from the retail industry: order your turkey, send those cards, and don’t forget the new outfit for the office party.
So I thought I’d attend a festive play last Friday evening at the Blue Elephant Theatre; and a traditional re-telling of the Christmas story however, this was not! Instead a humorous, thoroughly original and thought-provoking piece was presented in intimate surroundings by a talented cast, addressing quite surprising issues.
I had never been to the Blue Elephant Theatre before, but it is encouraging to find a local venue, with such a committed team, and especially one which has produced such plays as this one for 10 years now.
Approaching it felt like I was walking into someone’s living room! But the feeling of this being a community run and community supported venue is one of the most endearing of its features.
The venue was also perfect for Andrew Morton’s play, Drive-Thru Nativity. Intriguingly introduced by the theatre’s website as ‘a combination of out of work actors and zealous Christians gather in the parking lot of a Mega Church to tell the greatest story ever told in the way Americans like best: fast and convenient’, Drive-Thru Nativity aims to ask ‘whether there are some things worth getting out of your car for’. And yes, it was indeed a lively hour spent exploring some very 21st century concepts in an entertaining and manageable way. Ultimately the play does have a Christian message, but one which you can take or leave.
Andrew Morton has created some clever, clear cut characters in his play. There is always someone we can all identify with, or at least compare with someone we know. Actors successfully portrayed actors, and with thankfully convincing American accents too! Rachel Drazek as Mary was particularly energetic in a performance which required a good deal of passion.
There was a cast of aspiring new talent, something which added to the freshness of the performance generally.
Slightly unexpected, I must admit, was the pronounced intimacy of the venue, (the audience numbered less than 15), and it was almost necessary to walk onto the stage to take a seat in the audience, where the cast was already assembled when the stage doors opened. Being fearful of ‘audience participation’, the occasional migration of the actors into the audience made me a little uneasy, and surprisingly the cast breaks into song every now and then. The set and costumes are basic, but certainly in-keeping with the general aims of the play.
Overall the play presented a good mix of humour and quality drama, with a chance to reflect on human nature and what this ‘festive period’ was originally all in aid of.
It was thought-provoking without leaving me exhausted and certainly worth a trip if you fancy an original take on a very traditional story.
‘Drive Thru Nativity’ is on until 19 December. More info and to book tickets.
