Theatre Review: Jeezus! at New Diorama Theatre London

There are some things you can’t unsee and, boy, does this show, Jeezus!, do just that – and delivers big on energy, pace and storytelling. But you’ll have to have your wits about you as it’s at a rollicking pace – all 69 minutes of it. Told through chapters we get to know the little boy Jesús, whose barren mother Maria prayed, and donated rather effectively, to beget this son with her military husband, Jose. A mother excited for her boy to wear a white dress for his first holy communion and a father who would rather have a terrorist than a cissy for a son.

Jesús sees his sexual awakening through the lens of his Catholic upbringing – learning to love the Jesus from the cross, but maybe loving him a bit too much. This is a religion of mixed messages like “God loves you” but “gays go to hell” and why God would send his son to die, why?!

Set in Peru, in the period giving rise to ‘dick-tator’ Alberto Fujimori – and if you look closely at the cross you see a different type of Albert from that of the Prince of Peace. The set is simple but beautiful, blue sky, fluffy clouds and a stained glass window – and many dildo-looking crosses!

Alpaqa’s Jeezus at New Diorama Theatre Photo (c) Alex Brenner

Jesús is played by Sergio Antonio Maggiolo who is joined on stage by Guido Garcia Lueches who also has tour-de-force role, playing the father, a Dillamond-stuttering priest and ultimately the Messiah, Jeesuz!, himself. The duo, who are partners in real life, share a strong creative and romantic chemistry on stage – and this is wonderful to witness, with Sergio admitting that Guido does most of the heavy lifting and he just pulls funny faces. Tom Cagnoni is the onstage musician and musical director who can obviously put his musical hand to anything from church organ to pan pipes is new and well-worth addition to the show, and who almost steals the limelight.

It’s at such a pace it’s a little hard to follow at times with quite a cast of other characters such as the ‘abuela’ and a hot, 14-year old American swimmer cousin. The running gags are hilarious and you want to be careful where you sit. There’s a lot to love – a migrant-led theatre company, Al Paqa, creating work that uses raucous humour, high-camp, music and direct audience interaction to interrogate urgent political themes, fighting for change while being as silly as possible.

Alpaqa Jeezus @NDT (c)Alex Brenner

What gives this musical comedy its halo are the original songs and music. Big musical numbers from strolling minstrel ballads, pop, salsa, anti-colonial reggaeton, all choreographed and performed perfectly as only befits the actors who come from an improv and clowning background. The visual and sound gags – illicit high-shelved VHS tapes being played, a backdrop with snatches of huge religious devotions are surprisingly effective.

I am put in mind of that Monty Python line that Brian is not the Messiah, he’s just a very naughty boy and this is a very naughty show brimming full of queer heart.

jeezus.uk