WHAT FOLLOWS IS THE EDITED MORE PROFESSIONAL VERSION WRITTEN TO BE UNDER 500 WORDS ;)
(Rated 4/5 )
A theatrical run of just 3 hours, a new performance every 5 minutes to 6 people; only 216 would attend. A privilege to be one of those in such a beautiful historical building, host to a show 'starring' The King James Version of the Bible (KJV), in the setting where it was 'reborn'.
The audience went on a journey round the abbey guided by an actor and taking several ‘stops’, where they experienced an intimate Communion with a performer and section of KJV thus feeling the words were spoken just for each individual.
Our group’s guide was Morven Christe: She played her role with enthusiasm and knowledge beyond the text of Nick Payne’s play. I believed her.
I struggled with my disability and Morven asked if she could help me. From your theatre seat you simply watch and listen. This was very different. How fantastic to have a member of the cast offer to help you participate.
The text contained histories and appropriate Bible readings.
At The High Altar, where all sovereigns since 1066 have been crowned and in front of which is depicted the entire history of the Universe including its hidden date of demise, Morven read from Revelation.
Our next stop was The Quire Screen. Sharon Small’s delivery reflected the sparkling stars on the ceiling of the archway as she read from Genesis ‘In The Beginning…’
We had Andrew Woodall by the tombs of Newton and Darwin Newton
In the Chapter House – billed as one of the most ‘acoustically rousing and thrilling locations’ in the whole abbey – Morven and Nonso Anozie performed Job 3 and Job 38 with Morven as Job and Nonso as the LORD; a sexy, scary God! We experienced their voices echo all around us in the deliverence of such powerful verse on humanity and complexity and why we suffer.
Tamsin Greig was patiently waiting for us in the Chapel of St John the Baptist. She was going to read us a love poem and joked that she would not meet our eyes. Throughout her emotive and expressive reading of Song of Solomon 2 I kept my eyes on her; we had several moments of cheeky eye contact. I felt very connected to the words and to her.
On we went past tombs of monarchs such as Henry V and Edward, The Confessor and many chapels all decorated differently and all awe inspiring in their own ways within the magnificence of the whole building!
Our final destination was the Jerusalem Chamber, home of the final edit and first vocal reading.
Morven read from Ecclesiastes:
“ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven…”
This felt like a mini-season of spiritual power and exchange with these performers and words; a celebration of what I consider as my purpose to experience deep, connected, expressive humanity combined with theatrical performance.
In The Beginning – Review by The Restricted Reviewer © 2011
In The Beginning – Review by The Restricted Reviewer © 2011
Twitter: @RestrictReview
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