JEEZUS! - Belly Button Underbelly Colgate - Edinburgh Fringe Review

If there is anywhere that performers can explore the bold and the brave, then it is the safe and open oasis of the Edinburgh Fringe. Have a tough story to tell, come here, want to explore sexuality, Edinburgh greets you with open arms, want to take a risk, then there will be a room for you at the Fringe. And if you want to see a show where two performers have a tough at times story to tell, explore sexuality and take risks, then look no further than JEEZUS! At the Belly Button, Underbelly at Cowgate.

Penned by, and starring, Sergio Maggiolo as Jesús (pronounced hayzuss) alongside partner Guido García Lueches, JEEZUS! Is an hilarious, larger than life, bold and beautiful production that pushes the boundaries and loudly proclaims that Love is Love.

The story, set in Peru, follows alter boy Jesús as he prepares for his first communion. But through a meeting with his cousin, and a strong connection to the well worked body of the crucified Christ, the journey to communion instead becomes a journey of discovery; a queer awakening laden with rebellion, surreal dreams and sexual discovery. Against the backdrop of colonial criticism and severe catholic guilt as he grows up in his deeply religious family and school.

Maggiolo plays Jesús with a wonderful honesty and ability to not take oneself too seriously as he tells the tale of growing up gay against the sexual oppression of the church, fearing that his soul is not pure enough for him to take communion. You can laugh with and at this character, cheering him on to realise that he can love whoever he wants too. Garcia Lueches, real life fiancée to Maggiolo, who proposed on stage after one of their fringe performances, plays multiple other roles, from Jesús sweet hearted mother who believes her son to be a miracle, his strict homophobic father, a church schoolteacher and even the Christ himself of the alter boy’s dreams to great effect, earning many a laugh and a cheer as they jump from role to role alongside playing the guitar and the accordion.

The pair bring this wickedly funny and wonderfully surreal tale to life with bundles of energy and love, creating a warm and welcoming environment where everyone can be open and honest. One moment you are laughing at the magical madness of it all, the next you are drawn into the struggles of Jesús, both desperate to fit in as he feels he should, and to love openly as he so wishes. Jesús’ story is a tough one, and we see all of this honestly as he battles with how he is feeling, who he is drawn too, and how that makes him feel so very different from everyone else around him. This show is risky but very very clever; think South Park, think The Book of Mormon, it pushes those buttons, picks at the strict rules of the church and makes jokes of them, whilst exploring the effects of the rules on those who feel that they simply cannot follow them. But this production goes all out to prove that it is worth taking those risks.

This is a production that is not afraid to be brave, to push things as far as they can go, creating something entirely new and unique that delights and earns huge applause. Ultimately, it is truly joyful.

JEEZUS! Runs at Belly Button, Underbelly Cowgate, at 18.50 until August 24^th.