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Corpus Christi | new theatre |
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Written by Ashley Walker
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Saturday, 09 February 2008 |
 It seems we have
been getting the story of our lord and saviour wrong after all these years.
Jesus Christ was actually a native of Corpus
Christi, Texas and Judas
was his homosexual lover.
As the play itself
readily admits, this story has been told time and time again, so what is the
purpose of this rather bent reinterpretation? Jesus’ story as told by the bible
is of course episodic, so the play must follow suit but without a unifying
satirical purpose, several scenes seem pointless
Like Mary, this play
is pregnant with satirical possibilities. We wait for a comment on how the heartland
of Neo-Conservative America has used
Jesus’ teachings to justify their every piece of censorship or act of war. What would Jesus say to all these groups of
politicians and priests? Shame then, that the play continually goes for cheap
and obvious gags (“Oh Jesus Christ”) and
the few references to gay bashing and queer
marriage are done for shock value rather than to make an interesting point.
The play also
suffers from numerous inconsistencies in time and geography. Are we in the
present or the year of Christ’s birth and can someone please tell me what Roman
centurions are doing in the middle of Texas?
As you might expect, the
play follows the story of Jesus (Harley Connor) from the nativity scene to the crucifixion.
Curiously, the first half of the play spends a lot of time at Jesus’ high school
graduation where he meets Judas (Matt Rossner) and discovers gay love for the
first time. This lengthy scene resembles a pedestrian high school comedy.
The play picks up marginally in the second half when Jesus gathers together his devoted twelve and
his blazing trail of sermons and miracles gets under way. The most poignant
moment in the play comes when the priests question the teaching of Jesus
himself.
Corpus Christi
is kept from bombing completely by its large cast (you can probably guess how
many). The performance is energetic and physical. There is action all over the
stage. As Jesus and Judas have an intimate conversation at the high school
dance, others simulate fornication behind curtains. There is a fine moment when
they all take that trade mark pose, during the last supper.
The crucifixion scene is one of the few dramatic movements
in the play. Jesus’ fear of taking the path God has laid out for him becomes
real and palpable. Christ on the cross makes an imposing figure, centre and
back of the stage.
With Mardi Gras approaching this play is likely to have an
audience, but such a jumbled script is unlikely to speak to the broader
community.
new theatre presents
Corpus Christi
by Terrence McNally
Venue: new theatre | 542 King Street Newtown
Dates: 7 – 29 February 2008
Times: Thursday – Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 5pm
Tickets: $27 full / $22 concession / $20 (groups 10+) / $10 Preview Wed 6 January
Bookings: 1300 306 776 / www.mca-tix.com
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