Lucy made a guest appearance in the Basement Theatre production of Jesus Christ Part II on November 28. It seems the part of Jesus is being rotated by guest actors and it was Lucy's turn to be crucified (has anyone counted how many times the characters Lucy has played have been crucified? It must be a record). This time she played Jesus.
REVIEW
Part of the Review on NZ Herald says:
On the night I attended, Lucy Lawless struggled to take advantage of the improv opportunities that were hurled at her but established a winning presence as she displayed a fine singing voice and a facility with accents.
The four-person core cast delivers powerful musical numbers with lyrics by Thomas Sainsbury that are witty and at times provocative. There are sharp observations on what the Son of God might offer a world where struggle is defined by cellphone issues, gluten intolerance and frustration about internet speed.
Audiences should be warned there is some seriously X-rated material as Mary Magdalene fantasises about her relationship with Jesus, but the emotional crux of the show comes with Gareth Williams' surprising take on Judas debating with the apostles about betraying Jesus.
ABOUT THE SHOW
@NatashaHoyland @madeleinesami Crucifixion is hands down my least favourite way to die. #basementTheatre
-- Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) November 29, 2015 Fangirling about the person playing Jesus tonight in Jesus Christ Part II!! Tonight 8:30pm @Basementspace !!! https://t.co/qMUXZk0KfV
-- Natasha Hoyland (@NatashaHoyland) November 28, 2015
Ooooh @XenaWarrior crucified pic is a goodie for Jesus Christ Part II tonight only! One guest star #hint 28/11 830pm pic.twitter.com/zsb0xsiU3n
-- Basement Theatre NZ (@Basementspace) November 28, 2015
Both Jesuses for our first two shows have been absolutely AMAZE! @madeleinesami and @RealLucyLawless you were both true babes! #crucifythis
-- Natasha Hoyland (@NatashaHoyland) November 28, 2015
CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM?
TO CRUCIFY OR NOT TO CRUCIFY - THE AUDIENCE DECIDES
The Basement Theatre's 7th Annual Christmas Show
Lock up the heathens and exorcise your demons - He's back again, and this time it's theatrical! The 7th Annual Christmas Show returns to The Basement Theatre with JESUS CHRIST PART II November 27th - 19th December. Featuring a different incarnation of Jesus Christ from local stars of NZ telly and theatre; Antonia Prebble, Kura Forrester, Jamie Bowen, Rhys Mathewson, Nic Sampson, Olivia Tennet, Chris Parker, Guy Montgomery, Kimberley Crossman, Amanda Billing, Rose Matafeo, Hamish Parkinson, Joel Tobeck, Jacquie Brown, Lucy Lawless, Eli Matthewson, Brynley Stent, Ryan Richards, Harry McNaughton and more to be announced, this year's festive tale is the second coming of Jesus, but this time, just like girls, he just wants to have fun!
Basement has stolen the creative team behind last year's JC Superstar, to bring you a very different kind of Christmas musical. This is the second coming that you never saw coming. In a last ditch to save humanity, God sends Jesus back for another go at it. This time Jesus is determined to nail it, without getting nailed. Will he succeed? Each night the audience will decide...
In a modern world of tinder, selfies and laser surgery JESUS CHRIST PART II seeks morality and truth asking "What would Jesus do?" then answering from The Lords perspective! Well close enough - complete with song, dance and improvisation and featuring a random celebrity Jesus each night, the mule tide show is sure to leave you feeling positively reborn!
Devised by some of the best comedic, theatre, dance and musical geniuses in NZ; Tom Sainsbury (SuperCity) Lara Fischel-Chisholm (Terror Highway) along with the oddball Basement Theatre Team, this year's Basement Christmas show, directed by Oliver Driver (director of the 2014 ATC Jesus Christ Superstar production), and is a sure fire way to kick start the festive season.
Featuring Gareth Williams, founder of the short form entertainment website Squiz and actor from Sparticus, Coverband and the Lonesome Buckwhips; Hayley Sproull, who has won awards for her comedy shows, recently toured with Live Live Cinema Little Shop of Horrors, and is left handed; Victoria Abbott who has been in Ash Vs Evil Dead, All Your Wants And Needs Fulfilled Forever, and sometimes pretends to be a caterpillar; Julian Wilson from numerous theatre and TV shows, and joined by musical director Jason Smith, composer for television, film and theatre, along with a new Jesus each night.
The Annual Basement Theatre Christmas show reaches its 7th year, with 7 swans a swimming, bringing Christmas cheer and mirth to Aucklanders down for a good time! Prepare to sing, dance and laugh as Jesus makes a comeback - and remember you decide to crucify or not to crucify? Make sure this is the first stop on your Advent calendar, and book early as the season sells out every year!
FEATURING A ROTATING CAST OF 22
(IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, ON NO PARTICULAR PERFORMANCE DATE):
Antonia Prebble, Kura Forrester, Jamie Bowen, Rhys Mathewson, Nic Sampson, Olivia Tennet, Chris Parker, Guy Montgomery, Kimberley Crossman, Amanda Billing, Rose Matafeo, Hamish Parkinson, Joel Tobeck, Jacquie Brown, Lucy Lawless, Eli Matthewson, Brynley Stent, Ryan Richards, Harry McNaughton and more yet to be announced.
JESUS CHRIST PART II plays
Dates: 27 November - 20 December 2015
Times: 7:00pm Monday, 8:30pm Tuesday - Saturday
Early Show: 6:00pm Friday and Saturday
Venue: The Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland CBD
Tickets: $30 - $35, SANTA UPGRADE (Guaranteed Table Seating): $50.00
Bookings: www.iticket.co.nz // 0508 iTICKET (484 253)