Live Performance Review: The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven
Kristen Smyth in The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven. Photos courtesy of Cameron Grant, Parenthesy.
A Midsumma Must See!
JESUS lived, Jesus Died, and Jesus has been resurrected again at Theatreworks. Not in a typical patriarchal way, but a completely reimagined production with Jesus represented and played by a transgender woman. The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven,originally written by playwright Jo Clifford in 2009, has had its long-awaited Australasian premier this week.
Seated in the safely social-distanced perspex booths at Theatreworks, the audience are welcomed into the round to witness a unique show that combines theatre with storytelling and ritual to produce a rare and beautiful reflection on the life of Jesus - a transgender one - and a provocative meditation on a more truthful and generous interpretation of her words. This production transcends its audience into a meditative, cathartic experience. As a viewer, you feel like a disciple of Queen Jesus (Kristen Smyth) as she shares stories, lessons and blessings.
Image courtesy of Cameron Grant, Parenthesy.
The production’s strength comes in the addition of four choir members (Willow Sizer, Mel O’Brien, Tomas Parrish and Sherry-Lee Watson) that could be interpreted as four angels, four disciples, a Greek Chorus or even the Four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the authors attributed with the creation of the four Gospel accounts in the New Testament). Whatever interpretation you bring to the table, they enhance the action of the play with a chorus of beautiful voices in perfect acapella harmony. Rachel Lewindon has arranged original compositions and hymns specifically for the play and they are perfectly placed in the piece, never hindering Clifford’s words but rather enriching them. The addition of the choir is a decision made by the production’s director Kitan Petkovski and it’s hard to imagine the piece without them. The most moving chorale moment in the show is the final number 'Change is Coming' which in itself truly sediments the overall message of the play.
Image courtesy of Cameron Grant, Parenthesy.
However, it must be said that the main reason to see this show is to see Kristen Smyth. The play is almost a star vehicle for her, and she certainly makes it her show. From the moment Smyth appears on stage as Queen Jesus she commands your attention and doesn’t let it go for fifty minutes. It’s a surprise to find out that this is Kristen’s debut performance as she certainly presents like an experienced professional onstage. Kristen’s background as a writer undeniably helps strengthen her connection to the text, but what drew me in was her vulnerability, her connection to her audience and her ability to incorporate her personal real-life story of identifying as a transgender woman into the piece.
Smyth’s portrayal of Queen Jesus is the best thing I’ve seen onstage this year and Melbourne can only hope to be blessed to see Kristen Smyth on our stages in the future. Although the show may rely on Smyth’s killer performance, with the addition of the choir and support from Clifford’s script, you can tell this production has been masterfully directed by Petkovski. Petkovski is one to watch as an emerging director and I look forward to seeing him direct plays for our mainstage companies soon.
The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven is unmissable for any theatregoer and will leave you thinking long after you leave the theatre.
The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven is showing now at Theatreworks as part of Midsumma Festival from the 30th April to 8th May 2021.
For tickets and more info, visit the Theatreworks website here.