Mary and Joseph are forced to answer to the name “Herod’’ and they are on a mission to find a promised land, Brianland, in this festive improv play, A Very Poprox Christmas.

With less than a fortnight to go until Christmas, it’s so much fun to watch a show that gives the nativity story a new twist: each night, the unscripted plot changes and the core cast switch roles. [More]

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Poprox delivers on so many levels in its improvisation and comedic skill, with an ensemble of gifted and affecting actors.

A Very PopRox Christmas offers a comical take on the Nativity story (conception of Jesus in Bethlehem) and those who conspired for and against his birth. And on this second night, at BATS Dome theatre, it offers a reprieve from the cool temperatures of the Wellington evening.

God said, ‘Let there be light’ and there is – as commanded by Jed Davies whose only costume is a two-foot long silver beard over white shirt and three-quarter pants. That helps set up the scene for an evening of hilarity, giggles and laughter in this 70 minute show.

Dad, Joseph or Joe (sometimes Herod by command of Herod) is played comically by Dylan Hutton, whose props of a 21^st century builder’s pouch certainly make him appear as the carpenter of new and old, except he’s miffed when his bride to be, Mary, has been given an immaculate gift of conception with his/her/its/their hand or rod, or however God bestowed it upon her. Coitus interruptus was never the thing of the period, certainly not under Herod’s watch as Joseph’s pious attempts to reconcile the Act go awry.

Tara McEntee, plays Herod, the droll but licentious King of Judea, who oversees the Massacre of the Innocents, seeks to rid the future world of a Saviour for fear that Herodshire (their word, not mine) would be in danger and ruined if it wasn’t sorted. As preposterous as it appears, we know that isn’t the case – and what could be more amusing than taking the mickey out of a King for his disastrous handling of his dictate against the son of God – Jesus of Nazareth – to an audience two millennia and a score and three years later.

The role of mother of soon-to-be born Jesus, Mary, is assumed by Millie Osbourne. Vexed by Joseph’s in-denial, hap-hazard, coming-of-age father, kind of, and husband, she tries to reconcile his life of adventure to expectant father of the Saviour. Mary is vivacious, funny and witty and her shiny disposition and zest for life, as well as being protector of her innocent son, Jesus, adds a humorous twist. This Mary is more amorous than Bible stories have led us to believe.

Cue in the Three Wise People (you can’t have a Nativity story without them) wearing Baker Boys caps. Nina Hogg’s wit and hilarity and utterances (“Always look on the bright side of life”), add to the ensemble of Jonny Paul, the side-splitting humourist who knows how to invent insightful jests on the spot, and Tara Mcentee, who would follow any wandering star with smiles and charm to find a newborn King.

There is humour aplenty when each of the Magi utter pleasantries or limericks with playful ‘interrupting’. Nina Hogg’s gifts come to the fore as she finishes the sentences.

Jed Davies (God) is the story teller throughout. He imparts a Three-Act story: The Beginning; the Immaculate Conception; the Birth. Herod, the three Magi, Joseph and Mary play out the story with gusto and reverence as God keeps the plot on point and ushers in the ending of the show with (spoiler alert) a red haired pumpkin patch doll as the Saviour.

A Very PopRox Christmas is a smart and witty production that interweaves biblical belief and fun fiction into a plausible garish performance that dazzles in its brilliance – bereft of costumes and amid a meagre set of props: two wooden crates, cut-out cardboard images of Bethlehem. They don’t need exorbitant sets and costumes – audience imagination and intelligence is respected.

I stumble a couple of times over the humour, however I do laugh on cue with the audience. Even though I come from a Catholic and Presbyterian background, I find the story neither abhorrent nor distasteful. Comedy is often truthful and makes you think about what’s being offered and Poprox delivers.

Finally a tribute to guitarist, Issac Thomas, who’s whimsical effects, strumming and singing, sometimes with Jonny Paul and the cast, adds the pop-rock musical ambience. 

Note: The 8^th cast member, Austin Harrison, was not present tonight.

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