24 EBRUARY - 26 MARCH 2022
HAND TO GOD
By Robert Askins
Directed by Alexander Berlage
In The Tiny, Conservative Town Of Cypress, Texas, The Shy, Mild-Mannered Jason Is Just Trying To Be A Good Son.
When he joins his mother Margery's Christian Puppet Ministry at the local church, Jason discovers a burgeoning talent for puppetry, and after his father’s sudden death it seems like things might just turn out okay. Tyrone the puppet, though, has other plans. As the foul-mouthed, independent, and devilishly funny Tyrone grows in strength, Jason's complex relationships with the school bully, the girl-next-door, and most importantly, his mother, are thrown into upheaval. An irreverent, occasionally shocking, and perpetually hysterical romp to hell and back.
Directed by Alexander Berlage (There Will Be A Climax, Cry-Baby & American Psycho), winner of the 2018 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Direction of a Musical, Hand to God is a blasphemous black comedy (with puppets) that explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind us as well as leaving you sore with laughter.
Creative Team
Presented By Red Line Productions
Written By Robert Askins
Director Alexander Berlage
Co-Set Designer Jeremy Allen
Costume & Co-Set Designer Emma White
Lighting Designer Phoebe Pilcher
Sound Designer Daniel Herten
Stage Manager: Christopher Starnawski
Intimacy and Fight Director: Nigel Poulton
With:
Gerard Carroll as Pastor Greg
Merridy Eastman as Margery
Philip Lynch as Jason/Tyrone
Ryan Morgan as Timothy
Michelle Ny as Jessica
Production Thanks
Victor Kalka, Andrew Ramage, James Rawlings, Adam van den Bok, Chameleon Touring Services, Intense Lighting Hire, Guy Harding, Tony McCoy, Hannah Waterman, Toby Blome, Kimie Tsukakoshi, Griffin Theatre Company, Stephanie Black
Dates + Ticketing
Previews 24 - 25 February 2022
Season 26 February - 26 March 2022
Approximate run time 100 mins with interval
Content Notes
- Frequent Coarse Language
- Adult Themes
- Strong Sexual References
- Violence
- Theatrical Haze
- Strobe Lighting
Image Credit: Robert Catto
Image Credit: Robert Catto
Image Credit: Robert Catto
Image Credit: Robert Catto
Image Credit: Robert Catto
Image Credit: Robert Catto
Image Credit: Robert Catto
Image Credit: Robert Catto
Image Credit: Robert Catto
Image Credit: Robert Catto
Select Reviews
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“A broad comedy that could be unwatchably chaotic were it in less sure hands.” ★★★★
Audrey Journal
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“This devilishly black comedy has us giggling and grimacing, even as it poses questions about morality, faith, scapegoatism and the crevices that constantly fracture our mutual lines of communication.” ★★★★
Sydney Morning Herald
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“Berlage’s insistence on nuance and authenticity, ensures that the wild humour is always partnered with meaningful insight.”
Suzy Goes See
“Askins’ most impressive talent is his ability to make us laugh while juggling those big themes that make life so terrifying: death, depression, alcoholism, sexual guilt, emotional repression, religious hypocrisy and the eternal battle between your good puppet and your bad puppet.”
- Variety
"The freshest and funniest Broadway comedy in years, Hand to God is to plays as The Book of Mormon is to musicals: a welcome breath of foul air."
- Time Out (New York)