HAND TO GOD (PLAY)

 

Written by Robert Askins

Directed by Jarrad West

Everyman Theatre Production

ACT Hub Theatre, Kingston to 20 December

 

Reviewed by Len Power 10 December 2025

 

When shy young Jason joins his mother’s Christian Puppet Ministry in the tiny, conservative town of Cypress, Texas, he unwittingly releases the Devil through his creation of a puppet, Tyrone. The resulting effect on Jason and the characters around him has to be seen to be believed!

Robert Askins’ play, first produced off-Broadway in 2011, seems to have everything you need for a good night out at the theatre - religious hypocrisy, family dysfunction, shockingly bad language, faith, bullying, morality, bereavement, horny teenager troublemaking and assorted sexual stuff, blasphemy, insanity, puppet addiction, obsessiveness, furniture smashing, virginal timidness, ear biting, frenzied behaviour and violence. I think that was everything…

 All five members of the cast give strong performances with excellent comic timing. Michael Cooper as Jason and his puppet, Tyrone, displays extraordinary vocal ability that brings Tyrone to malevolent life, adding a surreal edginess to the show. His physical performance as he fights with the puppet has to be seen to be believed.

Michael Cooper (Jason)

Meaghan Stewart is quietly funny as Jessica, the young woman attracted to Jason. How she manages to show her true feelings for him results in a hilariously explicit sex scene. William ‘Wally’ Allington, as Timmy, the youthful and horny town tough chasing after the mother, Margery, gives a nicely repellent and amusing performance.

Amy Kowalczuk as Margery, the religious mother overtaken by lust, brings out the humour in her role through thoughtful characterization. Lachlan Ruffy as the hypocritical Pastor Greg with a strange dress sense, is funny as well as creepy.

Lachlan Ruffy (Pastor Greg) & Amy Kowalczuk (Margery)

The speed at which this show is played is breath-taking at times. The Director, Jarrad West, has kept a firm control on the frenzied and farcical action in the first act, but the second act seemed less humorous and slower, making it feel more uncomfortable than funny in places.

Overall, ‘Hand to God’, with its fine performances and strong direction, is an outrageously funny play with a lot of truth under the surface.

Photos by Janelle McMenamin & Michael Moore

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.