The Seven Sins treats Simon Lee to the joys of pill popping clock-work dolls and plastic fantastic mermaids.
Arriving at St. Leonard’s Church, it’s clear this evening is going to be interesting. I’m greeted by eccentrically dressed musicians in clown make-up, haunting music and a pale woman handing out popcorn. Sad looking businessmen sit around the pews. Then it begins.
The Seven Sins is one of those shows where to review it in detail would ruin its magic. The joy of the show really is not knowing what’s going to happen next, but I shall attempt to tease you with some highlights…
Our guide for the evening is a bearded ring mistress. Don’t ask. It becomes more surreal the more you think about it. Having mused upon the nature of existence, she insists upon taking us on a tour of the seven sins that infect our lives. Each sin presents the audience with an interpretation that the directors want to hit uncomfortably close to home, and there are occasions where they succeed.
The show sees everything from clockwork dolls frolicking with pills to a mermaid destroyed by plastic surgery – an excellent performance from Bobbi O'Callaghan, one of the few actors to get some lines. Between each sin we’re moved from one location to another, always led by the Bearded Lady (Jenae O'Conner) whose prose and demeanour are only made stranger by the natural echo of the cavernous venue. It’s an excellent choice of stage and I can't see how the show would work as well anywhere else. Be warned though; you will have to interact. You may get clambered across and it’s quite likely you’ll be asked to dance.
The Seven Sins really is a fantastically strong show. You can see it as seven miniature plays in one, connected by a common theme. It’s easy to expect there to be a ‘weak’ sin, but it merely comes down to which is your favourite. Mine are tricky to choose, but Wrath is energetic and darkly funny, whilst Sloth is a welcome respite from the energy of the others, and brilliantly eerie. Greed, on the other hand, doesn’t quite click with me despite having some fantastic costumes, but then again I spoke to people afterwards who adored it. It’s one of those shows where your favourite sin says a lot about you as a person. Maybe…
I hesitate to say this is the best theatre in London at the moment. Not because it isn’t the best, but because calling it theatre doesn’t do it justice. Maybe the best alternative entertainment would be more appropriate. Go and see it, judge for yourself and spread the word.
The Seven Sins runs at St Leonard's Church until 17th July
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