The theatre is rather full, the stage is dressed with a few basic props bathed in orange-toned light and old fashioned songs from a sentimentalised passage of history tempt me to sing along, ‘cos she’s got personality, plus she’s got a great big heart!’

Within seconds of the opening sequence in which a hard working, subservient Cindy (Dena Kennedy) attends to her intellectually disabled client, I am transfixed.

These people know how to act. I would go as far to suggest that any actor wanting to do theatre work needs to take note. It is possible to be funny, satirical, deep, light-hearted, and filthy without passing into irritating over-acting!

Cindy’s manager (Andi Crown) is brilliant, delivering the kind of dry, cold and deeply uncaring attitude of many a superior throughout our fair land. She plays several other thoroughly enjoyable characters with ease, a pleasure to watch.

The relationship between Cindy and Eric (Martyn Wood) is instantly recognisable; your friend is engaged to a gay man and doesn’t know it yet. Eric’s two great loves are Cindy and his best friend, the extremely vile Hans (Gareth Williams).

I’m enjoying how the disgusting Hans has enough ego laden charm to challenge even God; he lights up the stage with his cheerful cruelty.

From the title of the play I assume you won’t be surprised to learn that Cindy and Eric do indeed go to Hell, and it only partly lives up to their expectations. I laugh loudly when the torture scene unfolds and realise I’m the only one doing so.

Maybe it’s because I used to be a ‘real Christian’ in my obviously misspent youth, but this black comedy works for me. I am smiling to myself throughout, and I love every single performance.

It is obvious that the English-accented slacker Jesus (Todd Emerson) is a favourite, and his entrance is even better than a walk on water. As with Crown, Emerson plays multiple roles with skill.

Roberto Nascimento is a pushover as God, and most delightful as a hard-working demon.

Of course, if you are a hardcore fundamentalist Christian, this might be offensive and you’ll be tempted to point out the flaws, especially in what constitutes sin. I wouldn’t take my Nanna, the swearing would give her a heart attack and the content would finish her off! She wouldn’t get it, and I wouldn’t expect her to.

There is obvious product placement happening, but that manages to also be amusing due to the way it’s done.

This is a show worth seeing if you have a sick funny bone that needs tickling. The beauty of it is that every character is somehow sympathetic, no matter how dishonest or grotesque.

If Heaven is entertaining theatre that leaves you with a smile, then you’d better book a ticket! At only $20/$15, it’s a hellishly good bargain.
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