All Singing, All Dancing Comedy Musical
The King’s Head in Islington is London’s first pub theatre since Shakespeare’s day, founded in 1970 and previously used as a boxing ring and a pool hall. Its intimate space sits behind the busy period pub, which provides a great place for a pre-theatre drink.
This all singing, and all dancing, musical comedy Adam, Eve and Steve, makes it’s London debut at The Kings Head after a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016. It is all told in one act of 1 hour 15 minutes.
As one would expect Adam, Eve and Steve is set in the Garden of Eden, this is well depicted in a glitzy sort of way, with a set of abundant hanging silver tassels and a tree of knowledge.
God (Michael Christopher) is busy at work creating his perfect universe, whilst Beelzebub with his meddling ways is determined to put a spanner in the works. The show opens on a solo number from Beelzebub aka the devil, played with great panache by Stephen McGlynn who make its very clear it’s not about Adam, Eve or Steve but “it’s all about me”.
God, of course, creates Adam (Joseph Robinson), a suitably naïve, fit, young Welshman dressed in nothing but a loincloth covered in leaves, he is informed that he will soon be joined by Eve. However, because of Beelzebub’s interfering ways, things don’t go quite according to plan. Enter Steve (perfectly played by Dale Adams), another semi-clad, camp young man who quickly befriends and falls for the guileless Adam. They are only too happy with their new found friendship and are somewhat rocked when God, realising his mistake sends in Eve (also dressed in a few strategically placed leaves) played very convincingly by Hayley Hampson, a larger than life Liverpudlian character with a fabulous singing voice. Now the ménage a trois begins, as both Eve and Steve fight for their man. All three give in to the temptation of the luscious apple, which naturally brings about jealousy, spite, sarcasm and host of other unpleasant traits.
This is a fun, upbeat production with plenty of musical numbers and live accompaniment from musical director Dean Austin. There is a lot postulating about love and plenty of cheesy jokes. Some good dance routines are well choreographed by Director Francesca Goodridge and the talented cast, work together with an effortless synchronicity. The plot, however, seems rather thin on the ground. By the end Adam is left to choose between life with a woman or homosexuality, and guess what he chooses his lady, perhaps it was God’s wish that they could go forth and procreative, what kind of message is that?
However, the audience loved it, they laughed out loud and tapped their toes in approval along with the musical numbers. It’s a slick, entertaining, camp fringe show, which promises a good night out in London, especially if you enjoy a bit of musical theatre.
Venue: King’s Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, London, N1 1QN
Dates: Tuesday 21st March – Saturday 29th April 2017
Times: Tues – Fri @ 8.40pm:
Sat @ 3pm & 8.40pm:
Sun @ 5pm
Tickets: £10 – £35
Box office number: 020 7226 8561
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