***

Rod as God has a bright opening, flags in the middle and loses credibility towards the end. Somehow the script felt like an early draft. The main theme within the play is duping the public to blindly believe in a movement which is completely false, in other words a scam. This is something worth exploring and maybe several drafts later a better finished product could emerge.

The action takes place in Rod’s flat. Rod is in a dead end job and Jack, his flatmate, is a layabout who watches day time TV but pretending to his family and Rod’s mum he is some kind of city high flier. Following a modest financial windfall, Jack has the idea that to make big money they should set up Rod as a religious cult figure. Rod goes along with the idea because of its sexual potential. They hire PR man Cliff to deal with publicity.

The movement takes off and flourishes but subsequent events do not really ring true and, consequently, this is when the flaws begin to occur. The acting of the three principals is adequate. They speak their lines but there is no great depth to their performance. Film is used and is particularly successful when showing outdoor scenes.

The three guys are from the much praised Late Night Gimp Fight sketch team whose act I have not seen. If this is their first venture into staging a play, it shows potential but don’t give up the night job just yet.

Reviewed by Ben

Pleasance Dome: 23

1 to 27 August 2012 (not 24 & 26)

16.00 – 17.00

Fringe Programme Page Number: 315