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God Inc Paul Wagner Eclipse, FringeHUB, until 29 Feb The story of a man, his soul and a generic multinational, God Inc. is a multimedia exploration of rampant economic rationalism and its associated personal costs. Paul Wagner plays a corporate comedian who eventually becomes the spokesperson for the multinational Gentricon Waxtron; what starts off as a dream gig leads inexorably to his social, emotional and actual death. At the outset we are introduced to Wagner at his funeral by his close friend, Doctor Pastor Chris Crane of the Virtual Church of God - introducers of the direct tithe. Landing in purgatory, Wagner must examine his life in order to retrieve his soul and humanity, to choose between Heaven (himself) and Hell (corporate whoredom). Purgatory is the place where Wagner shows his range of characters, playing scores of characters from the Southern hick electronic repair geek, his ex-girlfriend Lucy, an eight piece choir to the impeccably assembled purgatory news-team. Wagner in purgatory is stuck inside the video screen. Much of the action is prerecorded video and whilst the interaction between Wagner onscreen and Wagner onstage is not completely seamless, it is very well done. The show makes one feel like they're watching a cross between CNN, Jimmy Swaggart and home shopping (1800 SOULD) though not as well produced. There are some hilarious moments of 'live' satellite crosses and audio of that bloody telephone options menu ("for Roman Catholic, press 3") which becomes absurd: "Press 9 for 6". Wagner is obviously a religious man but one who believes, as Tom Robbins puts it, that 'organised religion is an inappropriate response to the divine'. His wonderful portrayal of Jesus as the hippie son of God (judging bums him out) gives purgatory Wagner the message he needs to resolve his dilemma: you just gotta resurrect, man. God Inc is more hits than misses and one that contains a plethora of one liners that often snuck under the audience's radar. Unfortunately there is a cringe factor with some of his overly stereotypical characterisations; the grifting Jewish booking agent of God and the Saints and the Hindu guide to purgatory rely too much upon negative stereotypes and dodgy accents. On the whole though, Wagner's characters are beautifully assembled and believable. An entertaining hour you should squeeze in to your busy Fringe schedule.  |
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