UK Theatre Network

God Only Knows

The Customs House, South Shields
(Sunday 12th July, 2009)

After bluffing his way into a highly-paid teaching job at the Christ Church Academy, funded by a local millionaire and former criminal, newly-qualified biology teacher Simon, played excellently by Sean Kenney, finds himself becoming further embroiled in a web of deceit that soon spins out of control and threatens to ruin everything that he holds dearest.

This script-in-hand production by North-Eastern writing partnership Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood is a satirical examination of religious fundamentalism and faith schools. The controversy that a play of this nature may attract is tempered by the trademark Wood and Waugh comedy that is skilfully integrated throughout the piece.

The provocative and profound issues, including the abstinence of sex before marriage, are explored alongside lighter and more barmy ones, such as the development of ‘a bible-based theme park – The Garden of Eden.’

The cast, including The Bill’s Mark Wingett as Martin, delivered a totally committed performance despite the fact that they had only had one day’s rehearsal. Local actors Vicky Elliott, Louis Roberts and Christina Dawson were living proof of the fact that the North East has a veritable smorgasbord of talent and should be as culturally significant as London or Manchester.

Judging by the reaction of the audience, God Only Knows looks set to become yet another Wood and Waugh classic.

Steve Burbridge.