Review: Paradise Lost (lies unopened beside me), Battersea Arts Centre

Heading to a one-man show of Milton’s classic poem Paradise Lost, I have to admit to having last minute concerns. How on earth would such an epic be condensed to a 75 minute show in the Council Chamber of Battersea Arts Centre? Did it matter that I hadn’t read the poem? Would my quick Google on the way help? Luckily, Ben Duke’s masterful creation and Sharif Afifi’s remarkably charming and enthralling performance quickly allay my fears. 

The show begins with Afifi standing in front of the audience, a battered copy of the poem in his hands. He begins to read, before looking up and addressing us directly with an observation that some people are looking a bit nervous that he’s just going to read the text for the entire show. Any concerns that this is the case are soon banished as he takes us into the palms of his hands and doesn’t let us go.

The skill in Duke’s writing and Afifi’s performance, to bring such a huge story to such a small stage, is ingenious. A battle scene between God and Lucifer, and thousands of angels, seems impossible to represent. But soon it’s all you can imagine. Afifi’s storytelling skills are a true joy to behold as he takes you with him throughout the play, barely giving you a moment to think. When faced with such a master storyteller, the sense of escapism and childlike wonder is a real privilege. 

The play requires a multitude of characters, from God and Lucifer to the snake in the Garden of Eden. Despite the complexities of the story, Afifi helps the audience along, with tongue-in-cheek moments to make sure we’re keeping up.

There are surprising pockets of humour throughout the show, despite the heaviness of the text that inspires it. Afifi’s cheeky side adds much needed brevity, a particular highlight being the ripping off of a fig leaf (don’t worry, a remarkable unitard keeps his modesty just about intact) and boulders falling from the sky being represented by chick peas dropping from the ceiling. His side eye and comments to the audience have us all giggling.

Music is used throughout the show to great effect, ranging from Handel’s rousing ‘Zadok the Priest’ to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ ‘Into My Arms’. The choices feel conscious and work wonderfully in driving the story forward and keeping the show engaging. Moments of choreography in these musical interludes are well crafted, with Afifi continuing to keep the audience enraptured through his physical movements as much as with his verbal storytelling. 

Occasionally it’s hard to follow the story, and some sequences that feel a tad disjointed, but Afifi’s performance never falters. At points he is playing God and seems to have a lot of trouble getting Jesus to get into the car, a scenario that must prove familiar to the parents in the room. Yet, whilst familiar, it feels strange in the context of the play. There can’t be many performances that depict epic battles of angels and demons in one moment, and a father and son bickering about getting in a car in the next. Whilst this is peculiar, it’s also delicious. It’s what fringe theatre does so well – to challenge your mind and allow you to form your own conclusions. 

Paradise Lost (lies unopened beside me) may not be everyone’s cup of tea: it’s challenging at times, and downright ludicrous at others. But it’s also a true masterclass in storytelling, making something epic and intimidating relatable, and harnessing the power of the imagination as the chickpeas fall around us. 

Written & Choreographed by Ben Duke
Co-Directed by Lucy Morrison and Ben Duke
Lighting & Set Design by Jackie Shemesh
Produced by Lost Dog

Paradise Lost (lies unopened beside me) plays at Battersea Arts Centre until Saturday 5 April.