Published date: 4th Jan 1974, Hi Newspaper

On four Rock evenings beginning Christmas Eve, a few hundred Bombay ites Filled the Bhulabhai Desai auditorium to watch, and to listen to, the Theatre Group weave twee and odd hours of phantasmagoric GODSPELL. The musical presentation of the Gospel according to St. Mat- the was produced and direct- ed by Pearl Padamsee. GODSPELL, conceived by John Michael Tebelak, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, must, I’m sure, have marked a swinging beginning to the year end for a lot of rock buffs, Rez Lobo, who directed the music, deserves credit for a good job.

GODSPELL’s cast was very young, and some of its members will be remembered for their performances in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ in May 174. Devika Bhojwani, Keith Stevenson, Sharon Prabhakar, Madhukar Dhas were prominent. Rooky Dadachanji, who impressed earlier this year in Equus, and Farid Currim, who played Jesus with Christ-like ease, were other members of the cast.

What impresses people whо attend a GODSPELL show is the zany zippy sequence of scenes, the clowns with their rhythmic antics, and above all, the music. Remo Fernandes (Flute), Rex Lobo (Piano and Organ) and Steve Sequeira (drums) were outstanding in the Tower of Babel, which provided the melody.

Bomsi Nicholson was especially brilliant, giving a very funny pansyish performance. It’ll be a long time before his portrayal of Father Abraham is forgotten. Sherril Rosario, who sang two numbers, one solo and one with Keith Stevenson, was good, too.

GODSPELL was very infor- mal at moments, particularly when the interval came on. and members of the cast walked down the ramp down the centre aisie inviting people to take a selg from fa- gons of wine they held. Though I wish they’d gone right down to the back seats. A lot of rear-seaters must have felt like tasting some of that stuff!

The set was good, and Navjeet Singh gets the credit for this. Pesi Patel and Uday Watsa arranged the lights, and I thought they could have used some more imagination at times.

All in all, GODSPELL was a welcome change from the traditional theatre audiences are treated to. Though, as a song in the musical goes, it’s “All for the best”, because people enjoy such shows more for their rarity of appearance. I’ve got one request Pearl Padamsee should take the Theatre Group and hit a few other cities I’m sure people there like rock, and GODSPELL will give them a chance to listen and to look at some zing.