‘visually and aurally, the show is an absolute treat.’
If you have ever wondered what happens when holy vows meet absolute, unhinged delirium, The Good, The Bad and The Almighty has your gloriously bizarre answer. This absurd original comedy by Justin Cartledge and Amy Clayton takes a premise that sounds more like the setup to an exceptionally bad joke, than a high-quality comedy that runs at a breakneck, hyper-colourful pace.
The plot follows a trio of reverend members – a nun, a priest, and a father – who find themselves thrust into a frantic road trip to Edinburgh. Their holy, high-stakes mission? To stop an impending, world-ending “witchy woo” before it tears reality apart. From the moment the show kicks off, logic is politely shown the door while pure, unadulterated silliness takes the driver’s seat.
What makes the production work so well is its total, unabashed commitment to the ridiculous. The performances from everyone – especially the lead three – are a kaleidoscope of insane set pieces, rapid-fire banter, and vibrant energy. Each member of this holy trinity brings a distinct flavour of comic chaos: the nun’s surprisingly aggressive resolve, the priest’s escalating alcoholic existential panic, and the father’s utterly bewildered attempt to remain a voice of innocence. Together, their dynamic propels the narrative through its most delightfully off-the-rails moments that are directed with class.
Visually and aurally, the show is an absolute treat. The vivid staging perfectly complements the infectious tone, and the inclusion of its very own custom theme tune is a stroke of eccentric genius – an earworm that will remain lodged in your brain long after the final bow (although I ached for it’s return at the end to hear the comical lyrics again!). It leans into fringe-style absurdity without ever feeling sloppy; the sight gags and snappy dialogue are delivered with sharp, energetic precision.
If there is any minor flaw keeping this from a full five stars, it is that the relentless, high-octane pace rarely gives the audience a moment to catch their breath, occasionally blurring the line between hilarious mayhem and total sensory overload. A tiny beat of narrative breathing room right before the climax would make the final showdown land with even more punch.
That minor critique aside, The Good, The Bad and The Almighty is a riotous, joyful spectacle. It is insane, colourful, silly, and undeniably fun—the exact kind of theatrical shot in the arm the world needs right now. Grab a ticket, leave your seriousness at the door, and get ready to sing along: “It’s the heroes from the Vatican!”
Review Date: 29th August 2026
Star Rating: FOUR