Hugh Dennis, Lesley Garrett and John Marquez star in “The Messiah” a comedy of biblical proportions

Patrick Barlow’s new comedy The Messiah transfers to London’s The Other Palace from Monday 3^rd December to Saturday 5^th January 2018, after touring the UK. Starring in this hilarious and magical nativity are Hugh Dennis, Lesley Garrett and John Marquez.

The traveling theatre troupe of two actors and an opera singer are set to arrive on camelback to London after performing in venues across the UK to masterfully enact the greatest story ever told.

In this sublimely ridiculous yet truly angelic comedy, Joseph, Mary, the Archangel Gabriel, Herod, God and an ox are all authentically portrayed.

We meet the absurdly talented Maurice Rose (Hugh Dennis), the alarmingly unpredictable Ronald Bream RAC (John Marquez), and the distinguished diva Mrs. Leonora Fflyte (Lesley Garrett).

Hugh Dennis, the star of the BBC2 hit panel show, Mock The Week and BBC1’s hilarious sitcom Outnumbered, is one of Britain’s best-loved comics and an award-winning and multi-award nominated actor and writer. 

Speaking of his return to stage after two decades, Hugh Dennis said;

“It’s slightly terrifying because of everything that goes with it, like the fact there’s no edit and it’s different every time. But it’s very exciting getting on stage.”

“I should think if you ask lots of actors why they perform some will say [they] wanted to discover new people and push [themselves]” adds Dennis “and a lot will [say they] quite like people clapping and laughing “.

Lesley Garrett CBE is Britain’s best-known soprano.

For more than 30 years she has enjoyed one of the most successful careers of any modern-day, classically trained soprano. From Rossini’s famed opera The Barber of Seville at the Coliseum, to West End musical hits, The Sound of Music and Carousel, Garrett has become a real national treasure.

Lesley Garrett makes her comedy play debut. Speaking of this she said:

“I’m loving being around the comic genius of Hugh Dennis and John Marquez [who are playing Maurice Rose and Ronald Bream] and Patrick. It’s like having a comedy masterclass and it’s the best fun I’ve had since I worked with Eric Idle in The Mikado for English National Opera back in the 80s.”

Best known for his role as PC Joe Penhale in the hit ITV Comedy series, Doc Martin, John Marquez other credits include TV such as Porridge, In the Club, Death in Paradise, Hotel Babylon and Suburban Shootout. His recent theatre roles include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (The Savoy Theatre) and Once in a Lifetime(The Young Vic).

 Speaking of the challenges of his role in The Messiah, Marquez said:

“The challenge is what’s always a challenge for me, which is that thing of making it truthful – and because this is a heightened comedy that becomes more of a challenge.”

Marquez adds that it would be easier to be like “That’s funny so let’s just do that but I want to be sure that everything that’s done is done for a reason and has a truth to it. Other than that, it’s written so well there aren’t any other big challenges.”

The 39 Steps writer, Patrick Barlow also directs this production. Other stage work include his new version of A Christmas Carol starring Jim Broadbent as Scrooge (Off-Broadway / Noel Coward Theatre). 

Produced by Simon Friend, Mark Goucher, Howard Panter and Birmingham Repertory Theatre The Messiah promises to be the funniest and most magical Nativity you will ever see.

With additional material by John Ramm, Jude Kelly and Julian Hough.

Weaving visual invention with a hint of the divine, The Messiah is a love letter to theatre, theology and the great man himself.

Runs 3 December 2018 – 5 January 2019.

To book tickets visit this website

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