Fourth Monkey's Genesis and Revelation: Ascension Part 1

Ascension is every apocalypse movie rolled into one epic, incomprehensible cliché, with a chunk of the Bible chucked in for good measure.

Stretched across the back of the set is a skin wound that gashes open to pour out people, as gas-masked monsters and sharp-clawed demons lurch around the stage. William Hunt’s newly blinded John has prophetic visions that even the most religious historians would struggle to understand as Fourth Monkey’s creation prioritises creativity over comprehension. Though telling the story of the Book of Revelations, very little is actually revealed.

On the thrust stage, Steven Green directs for proscenium arch, forcing each of the thirty-strong cast to shout to be heard. With so many actors onstage it is overstuffed and doesn’t provide the cast with enough room to use their physical theatre skills to their full potential. A scene bursting with cleverly characterised clowns is the sole sequence where the overwhelming number of actors is used to their advantage, creating a busy, bustling stage of buffoonery.

Men lead Ascension, with women having minor or highly sexualised roles, wasting clear talent from the young female actors. It is John’s story really, with everyone else acting as ghoulish decorations. The costumes are beautiful and set smartly done as end-of-the-world debris is scattered around, but the highly stylised production doesn’t lend itself to presenting the best skills of each actor.

It is undoubtedly impressive that this cast perform their shows in rep, but it is disappointing that the first part of this story gives so few words to so many voices.