Matthew, Mark, Luke & Joanne. Presented by The Court Theatre. Directed by Steven Ray. Written by Carl Nixon. 9 April – 7 May, 2016. Reviewed by Kineta Knight Booker.
There’s something cleansing about watching a comedy show about belief soon after seeing another show currently on at The Court which is centred around hauntings and a séance.
Indeed, Matthew, Mark, Luke & Joanne was the perfect performance to challenge the viewer to more wholesome goings on – reflecting on what your life’s “religion” is, be it yoga, materialism, coffee, or being a follower of Jesus.
Carl Nixon’s newest play is a triumphant insight into human nature following a big life change. His characters are people we all know – that eager, young Christian who grates on you with their naivety, that person who quotes their yoga teacher more than any book they’ve ever read, and the one who spends their cash like a fool.
The play starts in the gluten free, organic, and ethnic aisle of Matthew’s local supermarket, where he has a life-changing epiphany reaching for coffee beans. This revelation impacts his relationship with his wife, that of his best friend who’s also his business partner, and ultimately his career and life goals.
There are many laugh out loud moments, and each line of Nixon’s play was brought to life brilliantly by Tom Peters (Matthew), Luanne Gordon (Joanne) and Phil Vaughan (Mark), and Steven Ray’s direction was interesting, thoughtful and creative. It was the rawness from each of the monologues where Nixon’s work was seen best – poignant, reflective moments for his characters, and perhaps for the audience too.
Matthew, Mark, Luke & Joanne is a very, very good play. Go in expecting nothing, leave feeling like you’ve just been witnessed to in the most incredible way.
