"I can't believe Jesus called me a dick!"
The Mormons are on a new mission in Scotland as the tour arrived at the Edinburgh Playhouse!
This offensively outrageous, belly-laughing spectacle, infamously created by the minds behind South Park, even without knowing the story, you know that this production will push the boundaries.
The Book of Mormon tells the story of the misadventures of a pair of ill-matched missionaries, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham. They leave America to embark on their first mission to spread the word of Jesus Christ, in Uganda. As the pair begin their mission Elder Cunningham - the perpetual despair of his parents and community - tries to grow some self-belief and falls in love with the local leader's daughter, Nabulungi. Whilst Elder Price - the over-confident golden boy of the missionary training school - is struggling to convert the villagers and questions whether he can do what he has been sent to Uganda to do.
This is a vivacious and joyous musical with fantastic songs, energetic dancing, and pitch-perfect performances from a talented ensemble cast, but it’s not one for the fainthearted.
It is littered with modern references and brings focus to some of the candid discussions surrounding religion and sexuality.
The musical may satirise religious gullibility, but it doesn’t question the need for belief. The portrayal of the Ugandans is unabatingly stereotypical, serving as the driving force for the show’s main targets: western arrogance, racism, and colonialism.
The Book of Mormon is brilliant, and I urge you to go see if before it sells out – which it will.
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Why go and see it?
Laugh out loud funny with insanely catchy music you will be humming for months on end!
Tickets from £13 - grab them here.
📸 Production Images Paul Coltas
EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
With over 3000 seats, the Edinburgh Playhouse is the UK’s largest all-seated theatre. Firmly established in the cultural landscape of Edinburgh and Scotland it plays host to some of the biggest names in live music, stand-up comedy, and musical theatre. It also welcomes many shows as part of the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Although designed as a variety theatre, the Playhouse opened in 1929 as Scotland’s second largest cinema. It was hugely successful and remained so until the downturn in cinema attendance in the early 70s. When it closed in November 1973, the building was at risk of demolition, but following several years of public ‘save the Playhouse’ campaigns, it was eventually saved. The building reopened in 1980 as the fully functional theatre it was always intended to be.
In the years since, it has hosted the likes of Elton John, Nick Cave, Bruce Springsteen, Kevin Bridges, Tim Minchin, and international hit musicals such as Wicked, We Will Rock You, Matilda, and Disney’s The Lion King.
The Edinburgh Playhouse is owned by ATG Entertainment.