Review: Mega Church Xmas Play, Libra Theatre Cafe

Sitting in a basement theatre space on a humid August evening, it is slightly disconcerting to hear Christmas music being pumped through the speakers. It may seem like a strange time to put on a Christmas play, but judging from the audience buzz at the end, no one minds being reminded of the festive season during summer.

Mega Church Xmas Play follows the SkyLife church as its pastor (show creator, Nicola Ryan) decides who will be the lead actor for the annual performance. What follows is a vehemently funny hour as hopeful parishioners (and an interloper) battle it out to take the coveted role. Jane (Zia Marsh) is sure she is destined for the spotlight, but she is thwarted at every turn by her fellow parishioners. Despite the support of her friend Marie (Hannah Whyman), she is hell-bent on doing whatever it takes to get that role. The chemistry between Whyman and Marsh is electric, with their performances channelling the comic tension of the Amanda-and-Anne dynamic in Motherland. Sophie Wolstencroft shines in her many roles, while Olivia Von Opel also gives a fantastic performance, most notably in her latter role within the play.

The audience is welcomed into the space by one of the cast offering shots of ‘communion’ wine and handing out a pamphlet which indicates that audience participation may be required. The interactive aspect is fun and certainly gets the audience going. We are encouraged to join in with actions to songs, speak to our neighbours and get on our feet to sing along to the opening track. It is a nice touch to give audience members a leaflet with all the lyrics they need at the start of the show, although the darkness of the venue makes it difficult to use. The venue also presents some issues with sightlines, as the seating is not raked. Perhaps Ryan, with her director’s hat on, might consider moving some of her levels so that the whole audience can see, as some of the funniest moments taking place on the floor were not visible to everyone.

During the performance, Pastor Cole is often seen talking to ‘God’, and in the second half, we find out who ‘God’ really is. Without giving any spoilers, the unexpected twist elicits plenty of laughs, but takes the play in a slightly sillier direction that doesn’t land quite as well as the first half.

The cast shines from the second the performance starts. It is clear that they are all having a fantastic time on stage. There is a lighting glitch in the second half, but the cast and crew take it in their stride with gusto, and the laughter is louder than ever. The pacing is excellent throughout, with not a second of tension lost. However, some sections feel slightly shoehorned in to accommodate the audience interaction. In terms of story, this is clear in the first half, but the second leaves some questions unanswered – specifically, why Lily wants to take over SkyLife’s Christmas show in the first place.

The flyer for Mega Church Xmas Play advertises it as ‘absurd’, and this hits the nail on the head in the most positive way. While the second half doesn’t quite match the sharpness of the first, the cast’s energy, the audience interaction, and the sheer silliness of it all make for an entertaining evening.

Created by Nicola Ryan

Mega Church Xmas Play runs at The Libra Theatre Cafe until Sunday 30  August as part of the Camden Fringe.