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Miraculous

 
Richard Beck Review by Richard Beck 4 Published: 20 Mar 2026 Old Red Lion Theatre Pub Show Dates: 21 Feb 2026-21 Mar 2026

There is a brooding air of mystery delicately placed beneath the seemingly simple surface story of Miraculous at the Red Lion Theatre, Islington.

The tables are completely turned.

The sound and lighting of the opening suggest a murder mystery or horror of Gothic proportions, and designers Pierre Flasse and Amy Fisher are unrelenting in crafting mood. Yet here we are at a Christian summer camp, so what will unfold over 60 minutes of meetings between young Josh (Luke Stiles), a high schooler brimming with arrogance, insecurity and theological angst, and Paul (Diego Zozaya), his older mentor, a devout young father wrestling with the challenges of spiritual leadership? With each scene the question becomes more pressing. Many possibilities exist, and once the pair have hilariously re-enacted the story of Elijah and the priests of Baal and Paul has introduced Josh to his son, the mystery only deepens. The denouement, however, is almost certainly nothing that comes to mind and avoids obvious and clichéd predictables.

Meanwhile, you can enjoy their interactions around sex, belief and divine intervention, along with the embarrassing questioning of someone lured into pouring out more than he ever bargained for, in the reverse of what might be expected. On day one of the camp, Paul has 10 questions for Josh by way of initiating discussion around the religious, personal and moral issues that will occupy the week. Paul has done this many times. He starts out with the confidence of a man whose position places him in control and is ready to receive some stock answers, until the politely unassuming and playfully nonchalant Josh becomes increasingly beguiling, irreverent and cocky, fully turning the tables on him.

Yet that is something of a veneer, under which lie insecurities and doubts, particularly about his ability to get on with others. They emerge in passing lines. His parents have decided to holiday at Lake Como without him and send him to camp. There was his cousin’s wedding, which they attended but to which he was not invited. At the camp, despite being appointed dorm captain, he is shunned by the other boys.

Paul, too, has his vulnerabilities. When exposed, his marriage has a few surprises and a miracle, while his embodiment of Christian principles turns out to be less than perfect and his use of scripture selective.

Stiles and Zozaya give captivating and intriguing performances. They are a well-balanced double act who know how to play off each other while crafting two contrasting characters rooted in Stiles’ distinctive writing. Through precise delivery, they give full vent to the humour, dropping off-the-cuff one-liners while not shying away from depth in emotionally charged scenes.

Director Toby Clarke maximises the confines of this theatre, creating identifiable locations and managing movement with natural fluidity. The set, managed by Maia Thompson, allows room for Jon Aaron’s tightly staged fight scene.

Miraculous is a refreshing departure from many exhausted contemporary themes, bravely using an overtly religious setting to explore the frailty of human nature.


Amir Nisi

Richard Beck

A graduate in theology and education, Richard acted and contributed to dance, drama and music productions throughout his teaching career. He joined Broadway Baby in 2014 and is now our Editor-in-Chief. He usually disappears to warmer climes for the winter to pursue his passion for travel.

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The Blurb:

“Imagine like having the power to create the entire world with a handful of sentences, or remotely impregnate a fourteen-year-old virgin, or parting a sea, or any of those like massive, real things, and then like, retiring.”

When a youth pastor hellbent on saving souls and a teenager with a penchant for irreverence find themselves thrust into the same room, will their fellowship end in communion or collision?

Josh (Luke Stiles) is a high schooler brimming with arrogance, insecurity, and theological angst, and Paul (Diego Zozaya) is a devout young father wrestling with the challenges of spiritual leadership. Over a week of mentorship meetings at a Christian sleep-away camp, they fight to stress-test their faith. When their cage match about sex, belief, and divine intervention calls into question God’s ability to do miracles, how will He respond?

Honest, restless, and unflinching, Miraculous examines two souls as they bring each other to a breaking point.

Directed by OLIVIER Nominated & twice OFFIE Nominated Toby ClarkeWritten by Luke StilesProduced by Brock Looser

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