Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven, The

Traverse Theatre

Celebrate a different kind of Christmas. Read more …

Jesus has returned to earth as a trans woman and she has a lot to say. Stories to tell. Bread and wine to share. Blessings to give…

At the epicentre of an anti-censorship and human rights movement in Brazil, Jo Clifford’s legendary play is still touring South America two years after its triumphant arrival.

Now almost ten years on from her controversial premiere, Jo and company bring their ‘moving and infinitely graceful’ (The Guardian), legendary production to the Traverse for the first time.

The critical consensus

Forget any controversy linked to The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven. It should be judged purely as a theatrical experience. On those terms, it is moving, profound and quite brilliantly executed.

Hugh Simpson, All Edinburgh Theatre, 16/12/2018

Re-imagining of the Bible through a queer lens is powerful, provocative and affirming.

(*) Kirsty McGrory, The Wee Review, 17/12/2018

If those doubting Thomasinas did dare to bear witness, they would see a show that lives and breathes a moment that looks very much like now, and all the heaven and hell on earth such uncertain times bring with them.

(*) Neil Cooper, Coffee-Table Notes, 17/12/2018

It's difficult otherwise to understand how anyone could become quite so impressed or incensed by this portentious, pretentious sermon performed with such soporific repetition that its hour-long running time feels interminable.

(*) (*) (*) Paul F Cockburn, Broadway Baby, 18/12/2018

Devotional compassion drives Jo Clifford's imaginatively staged and often challenging reflection on inclusion, persecution and identification.

(*) Gareth K Vile, The List, 18/12/2018

The Gospel is not so much a play but a profound experience which has the spellbinding effect of keeping the audience in the body of the kirk long after after the final blessing which celebrates life and sex and pleasure and difference and, like the wandering boy in eden ahbez’s haunting song, the “little shy and sad of eye” who are welcome in the Queendom of Heaven.

(*) Peter Callaghan, Review Sphere, 22/12/2018

Jo Clifford's infamous play returns to Edinburgh with a Yuletide message of hope and tolerance.

(*) Amy Taylor, The Skinny, 21/12/2018