Tue 20th February 2024 – Sat 24th February 2024
Imagine the impact if the existence of God could be scientifically proven. This is what university student Edie seems to achieve in physics lecturer Henry Brook’s class, shaking the very foundations of his life, including his marriage to Virginia, a renowned atheist writer.
In David Baddiel’s play, a fierce and humorous clash unfolds between science and religion, exploring themes of power, sex, fame, and the pursuit of followers.
This electrifying tragicomedy delves into the influence of belief and our search for truth in a world divided by differing perspectives.
NODA Review by Bryan Craven
First of all, let me welcome Skipton Little Theatre to the NODA North East family. This was my first visit as a Rep since the Society joined earlier in the month, and how very welcoming everybody was. Thank you for the tour and the hospitality. The play was new to me, “God’s Dice” by David Baddiel. To quote their synopsis – “Imagine the impact if the existence of God could be scientifically proven. This is what university student, Edie, seems to achieve in physics lecturer Henry Brook’s class, shaking the very foundations of his life, including his marriage to Virginia, a renowned atheist writer. In David Baddiel’s play, a fierce and humorous clash unfolds between science and religion, exploring themes of power, sex, fame, and the pursuit of followers”. A light comedy it wasn’t!
When this play was first staged professionally it had some terrible reviews and I can understand why – it’s long, complex, wordy and quite clunky in places. It’s a shame because there are many positives – it’s a fascinating idea, it has some cracking jokes, it’s acted with great conviction and the use of video with swirling designs and mathematical equations. So, it was an interesting choice of play !
Having said all that, what a magnificent job the cast of five did. I have no idea how they managed to learn some of the scientific and mathematical language, and write it all up on a whiteboard as well. I’ve got to start with Phil Smith as Henry Brook. Phil stepped in at the last minute when the actor playing Henry got Covid. Such was the quality of his performance that we, the audience, were oblivious to the fact that he had the script in his hand. He managed to juggle the script with props and moves, and even included the pauses in the right place. Credit to you Phil. Amy Lodge gave a convincing and compelling performance as Edie, Henry’s student. She captured precisely the ruthless manipulation of her Professor and made the mathematics sound credible. Joanna Whistler gave a convincing portrayal of Henry’s wife, Virginia, as she fell from being a confident, successful writer to her breakdown. Tim, played by Philip Boocock, played the sleazy lecturer, who harked back to the days when he could bed first-year students. As a character, he seemed a little cliched, so full credit to Philip for making him believable. You could almost feel sorry for his unrequited love of Virginia. Louise Richards provided support as Billie and the Interlocuter.
It must have been a challenge for the production team to recreate the multitude of scenes on a small stage, but they did it with a clever use of split staging and lighting. All scene changes were done speedily. Sound effects were appropriate and timely. So, well done to the lighting/sound team of Maxine Caddell, Jacqui Whiteley and David Whiteley and the staging team of Chris Rose, Terry Harrison, Matthew Rogers and David Whiteley. Let’s not forget an actor’s best friend, the prompt, Patrick Smith, who was also responsible for the original songs and music. He must have been doing a good job because I didn’t hear him. The “programme” doesn’t credit who was responsible for the on screen images, which enhanced the production. Well done.
Last, but by no means least, the play was directed by Roxanne Williams. She did an incredible job with a very difficult play, keeping the pace going at all times. Congratulations. Ironically, not only was this my first visit to Skipton Little Theatre but it was also my last – at least, as a NODA Rep. Hopefully, we can return in the future as paying customers. We look forward to it.
