As the cast of Godspell Reimagined broke into their second song, strutting around and strumming guitars with broad stage smiles, we thought we were in for two hours of The Wiggles. Instead (as the name suggests) we were treated to a musical journey through the later life of Jesus Christ with a few parables thrown in, orchestrated by nameless lead Christopher Southall. The original Godspell appeared on Broadway in 1971 during the heyday of fire and brimstone televangelism, and Reimagined remains an unapologetic parody of the era, brought up to date with modern political and cultural references.
The musical talent of this cast is incredible. Just when you think you've identified the star singers, the keyboardist or guitarist breaks out into a solo number and blows you away. The range of musical styles is similarly impressive, ranging from power pop ballads to comical cabaret and pure percussion. Godspell Reimagined possesses a delightful improvisational feel and flits effortlessly from subject to subject, all the while maintaining a cohesive Biblical narrative that never feels preachy.
The only real source of disappointment came from the occasionally repetitive nature of the songs, but the cast's sheer bouncing enthusiasm kept it from ever getting boring. If you're looking for a solid rock opera that will uplift and energise — plus an A-grade Donald Trump impression you won't forget — go and check out Godspell Reimagined.
