Review of Scene 7
The Wise Men go to Herod
By Our Man with a Suntan, Steve Tomkins

God help us, it's the three kings again.

If nothing else, at least their subject peoples must be benefitting from their extended holiday in the Holy Land.

Well, I suppose we were all getting a bit tired of the coherence and intelligibility of the last few scenes, and it's nice to see old friends. And when Wise Man 2's first line signals his intention to deliver tonight's performance in "verse" (sometimes inverted commas just aren't enough, are they?) you know you're in for a fabulous evening.

In fact, let's just relive that moment again together:

Well, what do you know?
The sky's obscured hiding star light
Do we know which way to go?
To see the king, left or right?

The three of them wander Jerusalemwards to meet the pantomime baddie Herod:

I'm mean, nasty and obtuse, and, in case you have forgotten,
I'm evil, an all-round bad egg - well and truly rotten.
But I think you'll find, beneath my kecks (100% cotton),
I have a very pert behind, the cutest little bottom.

With a little help from that efficient if misguided star they are led to the King of the Jews, or a King of the Jews at any rate.

(To Star: How nice to earn an onstage mention, and thanks for the unseasonal suntan.)

Actually it's only the two saner ones who make it to the palace – Chief Wise Man is still occupied entirely with adventures in his own personal parallel universe.

With an astonishing burst of insight they see through Herod's evil naughtiness, make their excuses and leave, though Wise Guy's resolve is nearly broken by Herod's Ferrero Rocher and Sakatini.

Tomorrow, the birth(s)! Soon it will all be over. Enjoy it while and if you can.

© Ship of Fools 2002