Brisbane Reviews

HELLO! ... I would love to take a moment of your time to speak to you about The Book of Mormon ... in its much anticipated return to Brisbane, AND performed in the all-new Glasshouse Theatre, no less!

Once again we are treated to the door knocking, knee slapping, pearl clutching hilarity that has taken the world by storm and remained a popular success amongst the more devilish of us theatre patrons the world over. If you are familiar with the previous works of creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, you will be ready for the tormenting giggles of their unhinged brand of humour, and if you were expecting to see a musical in the key of piety, well then, I am so terribly sorry.

With an absolutely electric ensemble cast, we are transported into the story of Elder Price (Sean Johnston) and Elder Cunningham (Nick Cox) as they embark on their first mission to Uganda in search of fresh souls-to-save. As we laugh along to the lyrics, “God loves Mormons’ and he wants some more!” we are met with one ridiculous obstacle after another and treated to musical numbers ranging from ‘rootin-tootin’ histories of an “All American Prophet” to the ‘razzle-dazzle’ scary dream sequence: at all junctions the execution is absolutely flawless by the whole cast. 

Big credit must be given to Scenic Design by Scott Pask and Costume Design by Ann Roth for their work depicting Ugandan village life, but especially for the design of ‘Spooky Mormon Hell’. Eternal damnation never looked so spectacular! 

An enormously big poke at religion and cultural practice, as foul-mouthed as it is funny, this is not for the pearl-clutchers or faint of heart. It is definitely dedicated to the hardcore fans of hand-over-mouth type humour, executed with absolute finesse and commitment to the characters and hidden jabs.

Johnson (Elder Price) and Cox (Elder Cunningham) make a dynamic duo in what is likely still the most outrageous show to come off Broadway since the birth of religion and will likely still be causing audible snorts in the ‘Latter Days’. If you have not dared to desecrate the halls with your own attendance yet, take a leap of faith and go whilst it takes short residence at QPAC this season. You’ll thank the Heavenly Father you did.