Parables

During a typically over-the-top and self-referential moment in Parables, a character declares, ‘These are parables, not pantomime!’ It’s a line made all the funnier by being completely wrong. But that’s no bad thing. The energy, the audience participation and the eye-rolling humour are all classic panto. At what other play involving Jesus is the audience going to be showered in sweets? Much of the laughs are earned by silly accents, affectations and voices, falling just short of thigh slapping but it’s all so forgivable because of the commitment of the cast and the infectious sense of fun.

Parables, by Three in One Productions, began life in Coventry as street theatre – a way of spreading the Christian message in an entertaining way, which was the whole point of the original parables. The play features three main tales, each depicting one of Jesus’ parables with a small, quick-changing cast. The parables of the prodigal son, the ten talents and wedding feast are comically retold with 5,000 more in-jokes and references to other Christian life lessons.

The street theatre roots are obvious - the play’s writer himself has said that he chose those stories as they seemed the most ‘slap stick’ in the New Testament. On the surface, it makes little sense for the good Samaritan now to be the good Aston Villa supporter but the point of the stories, both here and in the original text, is to relate the lessons in a way that the audience will understand and enjoy at the same time as learning something.

Aside from the end where it all gets a little serious, this is achieved admirably. It’s all pulled off largely because of the cast, in particular the female actors, who demonstrate great energy, charm and talent for comic timing. Even when lines or cues are fluffed, it’s all carried off with enough good humour and confidence that it only makes the show more involving. Not unlike a good spot of panto...

Rhys Griffiths (Unverified), 16/07/09

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