Godspell, a musical, was hailed in the 1970s when staged off-Broadway after a student production in Pennsylvania was spotted; perhaps it should have stayed there rather than risk time travel.

The cast was at pains to bring humour to their telling of the Gospel’s parables, an approach which turned wise lessons into silly skits.

This was a disappointing ‘modern-day twist’, for all the troupe sported hoodies, colourful outfits with a distinctly 1950s feel, and selfie-sticks, their scaffold set lit with cerise, indigo and turquoise strobes.

References to Meerkats, Gordon Ramsay, Premier Inn and Jeremy Clarkson were contrived.

The singing was truly excellent, the performers all unquestionably talented. But the whole production was flat, and had the feel of manufacture, like an audition after Simon Cowell.

No surprise that at least four of the main ten were on X-Factor and The Voice.

Even half an hour in the format had become repetitive: first a solo, then rock it up a bit, next bring in the storyteller and skit…

No connection was made with the audience, more alienated than enthused at the pantomime-like use of ‘Sandy’, brought thrice in thirty minutes from stalls to stage to play the fool, Pictionary and Charades.

TWO STARS