Adam and Eve: The Musical Gilded Balloon

This new musical comedy is the world premiere and first original production by this talented young company. Adam and Eve wake up the day after the Fall, with no recollection of how they got there and why they are wearing these strange leaves. Archangel Oliver enlightens them as to why God has thrown them out of the Garden of Eden and tells them they must now fend for themselves. The stage is set for a journey of growth and self-discovery as the young couple learn to live with themselves and all the strange new sensations and experiences that face them.

It doesn’t take itself too seriously thank goodness, it’s a light-hearted, irreverent take on this, the most ancient of stories. The audience is welcomed into the auditorium by the cast of six, all dressed in angelic white and clutching cardboard clouds. They launch into “All Things Bright and Beautiful”, in sweet unaccompanied harmony. This is the only song that isn’t one of their own originals. The songs are surprisingly good, with witty lyrics and a range of styles – from the bluesy number by Lucifer to Eve’s more soulful “This Morning Has Broken My Heart” and the comical “Sexual Love”. I reckon “This Morning..” could match any of the hits from the major West End musicals. The musical backing is basic but the talented young cast of actors and singers show their versatility in taking turns on all the instruments.

Props and costumes are also all very basic – a water pistol to represent a waterfall, a blue streamer for the sky – however, they are all part of the fun.

There are some great comic moments – the Security Angels who guard the gate into Eden, the Caribou trying to persuade Adam to eat a potato rather than her, the Tree trying to convince Eve that Adam is hot. Those three examples all feature Kerry Frampton, who is also the company’s Production Director. She is a very funny lady – so funny that she even made Eve have a fit of the giggles in one scene.

All in all, a very pleasant way to spend an hour – lots of laughs, some good tunes and a happy ending.

Irene Brownlee