Stephen Schwartz, long before he became famous for Wicked, collaborated with fellow student John-Michael Tebelak to create a highly experimental show that combined the parables of Jesus with popular music in a way that completely by-passed any need for a belief system. Godspell first appeared in the seventies, making an indelible mark on the culture of its decade.Forty years on, upstairs at Ye Olde Rose and Crown, this great show, stunningly directed by Dawn Kalani Cowle, has had a makeover that will blow you away. The set is an amazing confection: old settees, rubber tyres, ladders, bins, trolleys, all the detritus of modern living. It works like a dream, as does the rest of the production.The singing is first-rate, and numbers like Day By Day and Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord will be familiar to anyone who didnt sit out the seventies on a coral island. Particularly moving were the songs By My side and the finale where Jesus hangs on the cross and tells his followers in song that he is bleeding, that he is dying, and finally that he is dead.Brian Elrick exudes charm and charisma as Jesus, turning up among his followers like a student on the hippy trail to Katmandu, storm lantern swinging from his canvas rucksack, his heart full of love and a pink flower in his hair. Though I am loathe to single any one performer out when a cast is this good, Ashley Hartland makes a moving professional debut as Judas. There is so much energy unleashed in this ensemble piece youre likely to feel quite exhausted by the end.Godspell is far from religious. It is a show that leaves the Bible firmly out of sight, and so should you. Godspell is about the magic of love, of defying man-made religious dogma, and therefore makes for a timely revival.But miracles do happen. You can walk into a pub theatre in north-east London in cold, recession-hit Britain, sit down with a drink, and find yourself totally transported to a world of love and flower power. Quite simply, this is one of the most exciting, tuneful, vibrant and animated productions I have seen on the fringe in a long time. Get up to Walthamstow - its only at the end of the Victoria line - and catch it while you can. Theatre does not get much better than this.
