Immaculate review, The White Bear Theatre Club

Mia is six months pregnant. There's only one problem. She hasn't had sex for a year. At least, she's not aware of having had sex. When a harassed looking middle aged man turns up at her dominatrix dungeon and says he wants to talk babies, she pulls on red stilettos and directs him to the cupboard with the nappies. Confused, the chap introduces himself as the Archangel Gabriel investigating the Immaculate conception. He pulls out a scroll and decrees the child the Second Coming. Cue a series of very smart, very witty, scenes as Mia's flat fills with men claiming rights over the child.

Pregnant applause

Only her ex boyfriend, Michael, doesn't want a stake in the baby, and yet the dick can't stop hanging around, sticking his oar in. When Lucifer arrives to declare paternity, a war of ideas breaks out between the two angels, G and Lucy, with Lucy claiming he is not a fallen angel: he was pushed. What's so bad about offering Eve an apple when it's one of your five a day? The bell goes again and the local geek, Gary Goodman, is on the doorstep. The unbelievable truth threatens to become the unendurable truth. Sensible Mia wonders how a holy father helps with childcare. Does one reprimand a future messiah for not doing homework? And if bad people are not a facet of good, but the opposite of it, would they not enjoy Hell?

The sleeve notes for this production of Oliver Lansley's very funny 2006 play state that it aims to address 'the question of how a modern woman copes with immaculate conception -  a deity ignoring the issue of consent completely - without compromising a funny script.' Does this mean it's rewritten or edited, or does it refer to Nick Reed's lively direction? Whatever the answer, it's a rich 75 minutes with a constant flow of challenging ideas and big laughs.

In conclusion: Jessica Doherty is the lynchpin as Mia, with wonderfully deadpan expressions and a terrific voice.  She is well supported by Edward Law and Barry Wilson as G and Lucy and Matthew J Staton as Michael. Amy O'Dwyer and Phil Featherstone as Rebecca and Gary, add to Mia's woes as she tests how each potential truth affects the outcome.

References
White Bear Theatre Club, Tickets

The White Bear Theatre Club, 138 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4DJ.   Run ends 10 August