We were treated to a wonderful evening at Grace last night, and I would certainly try to go to any further evening this group put on, and to take friends as well.
The Jonah story has some dramatic moments, and these were wonderfully portrayed with lighting, props, and sound effects. The scene of fishing dancing in the blackness, picked out by the fluorescent lighting was quite exquisite, and the sound effects as Jonah was spewed onto the beach is something I will remember for some time to come.
The presentation put some 'flesh on the bones' of the Jonah story. We see him distracted at the family meal table before his journey, beguiled by every mention of 'Tarshish', horrified by any news of 'Ninevah'; We see his realisation of the real state of Ninevah as he listens to the couriers on the coach tour give an account of all the city's 'attractions'; and we see the King of Ninevah puzzling over whether to pay any attention to this strange Hebrew, still smelling of whale digestive juices.
In some ways the evening had quite an amateur feel to it, but this had more to do with the family feel into which the church welcomed us, the stage arrangements which meant that most actors entered from behind the audience, and the almost self deprecating humour which showed that they did not take themselves too seriously.
In other ways it lacked the normal amateur hallmarks. It did not, as some events do, have scenes that are only carried by the audience willing the actors on in roles they are only just up to; Every single spoken word was clearly heard without having to strain; I was not aware of any technical hitches.
The evening made good use of music and dance, but not as a 'show' that was there to entertain us with their talents. Rather the evening was devoted to the telling of the Jonah story, and the music and dance was there to portray the drama, to evoke the mood, but not take over the evening.
The other remarkable thing I learnt was that the whole event was conceived and put together since Christmas. Sarah Martin works professionally in drama, and was free for a short period to direct this event. She arranged small teams to devise and develop their own scenes within an overall framework, and was certainly successful in bringing out and harnessing the gifts that God has given to his family at Grace.
Mike Pendray
4 February 2001