Written and performed by Oliver Turner, Fallen Bodies takes a new look at the perception of disabled people in theological interpretations of the Bible.
God (Oliver Turner) is an avuncular chap. In a posh drawing room with an ample supply of apples (nice touch) and a rapidly dwindling decanter of booze, He shares His memories of the Creation. God has a few issues with how His work is recorded in the Bible. He takes umbrage that reporting the Creation as taking seven days makes Him look lazy and does not reflect the sheer effort involved. He points out, as time had not then been conceived, what was considered a ‘day’ could last for centuries, not hours.
God is a big fan of making an effort and of rising to challenges. Accordingly, when He gets around to creating humans, He does so in His image and, being physically disabled, passes on disabilities to Adam and Eve, feeling this will enable them to respond to the challenge of living in a garden without safety adaptations to take account of their needs. As is often the case, however, God’s intentions are misinterpreted—He objects strongly to the idea He imposed physical restrictions upon the Serpent as a punishment.
Author Oliver Turner has clearly done his homework with Fallen Bodies. The names of theological writers are dropped regularly and their works summarised. God considers it somewhat condescending that some people regard the existence of disabled people as proof a loving God will welcome anyone regardless of their physical condition. Mind you, He prefers that viewpoint to the idea disabled people are paying the price of Adam and Eve disobeying His rules.
Towards the conclusion, Oliver Turner strips to reveal he has muscular atrophy and wears a leg brace. It is not an effort to shock but to make the point God does not regard physical challenges as disabling or disfiguring. Fallen Bodies is refreshingly free of bitterness and largely a work of faith. Rather than being critical of a Divine Being, the script shows sympathy for His efforts and intentions, reserving criticism for actions taken in His name. Elon Musk’s eugenics theories get a mention.
The existence of death, God reasons, gives life a purpose by imposing an end. He accepts, however, he might have overreached and that not everyone will agree with his opinion disabilities have the same effect and can be perceived as a blessing, not a burden.
Director Shannon Black sets a lively pace, ensuring the play does not slip into a lecture, with Turner in constant motion and God regularly responding to a voiceover quoting from the Bible. However, whilst successfully provocative, the script is dense and demanding and at times one might wish for a pause to absorb the points made.
Fallen Bodies reveals Black Tern Arts as a challenging company capable of producing thought-provoking material.