Living Spit have tried their hand at World War II, the Six wives of Henry VIII and A Christmas Carol.  They now chose to present ‘the second greatest Christmas story ever told’ in an attempt to do justice to the Nativity story.  In a disused shop.  In Clevedon.  What could possibly go wrong?  The answer is absolutely nothing as the divine duo deliver an unholy romp with more laughs than any other in the festive period.

Living Spit are Howard Coggins and Stu Mcloughlin and between them they create the entire nativity story with some modern embellishments and a host of unforgettable comic characters.  That there are only two actors on stage enhances the comedy, particularly at the outset when God and the Angel Gabriel agree that it is best that Gabriel deliver his message directly to Mary because he and Joseph are both played by the same person.

Another standout moment is when two of the three wise men, played as floppy haired Made in Chelsea’ Sloane rangers explain the absence of the third because ‘Balthazar has stayed in the car’ which is also double parked.

Using a stage bare apart from an occasional hay bale, and with a simple backcloth behind which the company perform lightning quick costume changes, Living Spit demonstrate what you need to create a great show.  They have an acute awareness of the space and play to every member of the audience, they understand the importance of timing and the need for pace and they have a finely honed script which delivers belly laughs.  Above all Coggins and Mcloughlin believe in their characters, no matter how ridiculous they may seem.  Howard is God. Probably not probably as you imagined him, but he believes and so do we.  The aged shepherd and his idiot grandson blinking with incomprehension are a delight, as are the Brummie Joseph and Mary ordering their wedding cheese cake from ‘Cheeses of Nazareth’. The stand out character is the potty mouthed angry psychopath Herod. When he hears that the new born Messiah is spoken about as the King of the Jews he becomes apoplectic with foul mouthed rage and the audience are invited to do the maniac’s evil work when they take part in a ‘slaughter of the innocents’ and deposit body parts in a tin bucket.

The many songs are all appropriately based on Christmas carols and unusually for comic songs, are never too long, delivering punch lines with almost canonical fervour.  A particular favourite is  when ‘Away in a Manger’ accompanies the Virgin Birth itself and Joseph sings that he ‘can see His sweet head’ while peering between Mary’s voluminous robes.

They take liberties with many anachronisms and the language is filled with profanities of biblical proportions, but Living Spit take every opportunity to poke fun at Christmas stereotypes and create a hooting, hollering show that fills you up with comfort and joy.

This could have been a four star show, but, well it is the season for giving.   ★★★★★     Bryan Mason  Tobacco Factory Theatres Beyond at Theatre Shop, Clevedon on  14^th December 2017