As the audience file into the auditorium at the Spielman Theatre, the Sistas Mary Berry and Pauline Hollywood are there to welcome you. One is DJing from a laptop sitting on top of an ironing board and the other pushing a sweeping brush while encouraging people to glug away at a glass of egg nog. They are dressed as Nuns. We are told that Shesus is about to arrive for a surprise birthday party.
And so begins the organised anarchic pandemonium. What follows is a drag-king Shesus and the Sistas performing a medley of dances while mouthing more Christmas hits before the real fun begins. It’s the run up to Christmas. This is an alternative, improv style show. Things look a bit dangerous. And there is audience participation. Buckets of it.
Mercifully and with due regard to spirituality the audience are given 7 seconds to leave in case they realise they have bought tickets for the wrong type of show, but no one leaves. No one dares.
Over the next eighty minutes we get a collection of routines involving group massage, a treacherous game of pass the parcel, a chance to write alternative Christmas carol lyrics and a whole heap of general silliness. You even get a slice of yule log delivered without ceremony straight into your mouth from one of the Divine Duo.
Lucy Baker as Shesus looks the part; long straggly beard, crown of thorns and a mystical look in her eye as she ringmasters the mayhem. More worrying is Danielle Meehan as Sista Pauline who moves with a lasciviousness not often seen in a bride of Christ while she gurns, body pops and shakes her booty like a heavenly body. Together with her non identical twin Lauren Meehan they gyrate, seduce and intrude into the private space of anyone within reach.
It is apparent within seconds that this show is not for the squeamish, prudish or those whose idea of hell is to be dragged up on stage. However, the humour, and there is plenty to be had, is never unkind and there is much warmth on offer. The Gift of Presents has a sweet tooth and the three performers want everyone to chew away at the candy and have a good time.
What is also clear is that the unholy Trinity work extremely hard and routines flow seamlessly with a fluidly choreographed sequencing. Before a sparse Wednesday night crowd the atmosphere is soon cranked up and there is much loud laughter and lusty singing by the end.
The ultimate message is to indulge in a little bit of group therapy. There is a bitter sweet finale when personal stories are divulged by the trio before a birthing scene slightly less miraculous than the Virgin birth, but equally surprising.
If you want an alternative Christmas show with a great committed cast, good gags and don’t mind making a fool of yourself, get into the giving habit with The Gift of Presents.
★★★★☆ Bryan Mason 12th December 2018
