An Act of God is the smash hit American play by Emmy award-winner David Javerbaum, that has been adapted for its debut in the UK at The Vaults Theatre from 29 November. This sinfully wicked comedy sees TV star Zoe Lyons as God and Matt Tedford aka Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho as the Archangel Michael. We prayed and they answered our questions…
How would you sum up what An Act of God is?
Zoe: I presume you mean the play rather than when items aren’t covered in an insurance claim? David Javerbaum’s play brings God back to earth with 10 new commandments for a modern yet slightly disappointing world. It’s God’s attempt to get their point clearly across without any ambiguity by doing away with all the middle men.
Matt: It’s like church but with more jokes, better music and the chance to see the Archangel Gabriel in just hot pants. Simply heavenly.
How is it possible for a Twitter account to be translated to a smash hit Broadway show?
Matt: Anyone who is a fan of @TheTweetOfGod account knows how funny and current David’s tweets are, this show allows us to explore them even further in a face to face environment without the anonymity of social media and Russian bots interfering.
Can you talk us through your characters?
Zoe: I don’t want to blow my own trumpet but I am the Lord Almighty, King of the Universe, Creator of all things, omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient… so it hasn’t really been much of a stretch.
Matt: My character is the Archangel Michael, the celestial Jeremy Paxman but with a halo, wings and more career prospects.
David Javerbaum has rewritten some of the play for UK audiences, can you give us some examples?
Zoe: Some of the references have been tailored for a British audience and of course no contemporary piece of theatre would be complete without mentioning the dreaded B word… Bethlehem! It’s been a few years since the show debuted on Broadway so a lot of the topical gags have been rewritten.
Which new commandment would you like to see added to the classic 10?
Thou shalt always wipe front to back.
Zoe, how do you prepare to play God?
Zoe: There wasn’t much preparation involved because as it turns out God seems to have the same unpredictable temperament as I do. The character has brought out the best in me: she’s irritable, irrational and irresponsible. I’ve also been carried around on a gold throne a lot and I’m eating nothing but a few fishes and several loaves of bread.
An Act Of God is at The Vaults, Leake Street, London SE1 7NN from 27 November to 12th January. Box office: 0844 815 7141 thevaults.london
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