In a desperate last-ditch attempt to save their underfunded and dwindling church, two priests come to the conclusion that the best way they can raise funds is by selling the one resource they have in abundance...bodies from the church graveyard.
Fathers George Hobbs and Charlie Moss are two priests who aren't exactly cut from the same cloth but their desperation leads them down a dark path that is less than holy.
Titled Holy Sh*t, Brick Fox Theatre's original dark comedy arrives at the Kings Arms between 28th and 30th July for Greater Manchester Fringe after a sold out run at 2018's Edinburgh Fringe.
The play digs up questions surrounding fate and mortality, oh, and what happened to Ryan Reynolds in that film where he was buried alive? I spoke with Brick Fox's Jack Fairhurst and asked how the play came about?
"The play came about as part of me finishing my undergraduate degree at Royal Holloway, University of London" he recalled "It was my final piece of work equivalent to a dissertation and I figured, rather than letting it gather dust after submission, why not put it on? Myself and a couple of other Brick Fox members had already put an original play on as part of The London Student Drama Festival, so getting a team together didn't prove too difficult, then we were away! I've always written dark comedies and writing Holy Sh*t allowed me a kind of cathartic way to vent a little about my catholic upbringing."
Has it changed much since the first performances?
"One of the best parts about bringing Holy Sh*t back this year has been the opportunity to tweak and improve it, maybe throwing in some more topical jokes here and there. We've two new cast members this time around so that immediately changes the dynamic but the show seems to have gotten bigger and bolder, which is very exciting. The actors know their characters back to front by this point so that's a really exciting position to be in."
What has been your highlight, so far?
"It's definitely too much of a cop out to say all of it, isn't it? The whole rehearsal process has been truly incredible and the atmosphere Rosa has managed to harness in the rehearsal room is so relaxed and encouraging, it's magic. But the highlight so far for me as the writer has to be seeing a packed out audience of strangers in Edinburgh last year. Being in at 11:30am we were hoping for about six people just so there was more of an audience than actors, but seeing a theatre full of people on opening day was amazing. Knowing all those people have come to watch something you tapped out on your laptop at 2am is like nothing else, and word of mouth has only propelled us forward from there!"
What is the best thing about being involved with Holy Sh*t?
"Without a doubt the team: both cast and crew. I've never worked with such a brilliant group of people. Everyone is so passionate about the show and so supportive of one another. We've become like a bizarre little family. Everyone knows and understands each other's little rhythms- and that shows on stage!"
Holy Sh*t is an anarchic and hilarious piece of theatre. It's clever, funny and packed with all the curious ingredients that make for a great black comedy.
Holy Sh*t
Sunday 28th July 4pm, Monday 29th/Tuesday 30th 7:30pm
The Kings Arms £8/£6
To book tickets and for more details click here
Words by Ian Leslie
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