Faith Fall (Bristol)

Faith Fall is the second of the Tobacco Factory’s ‘A Play a Pie and a Pint’ co-productions with Glasgow’s Òran Mór and it deserves to be a blazing success.

Cynical journo Adam, played beyond-convincingly by Gareth Glen pops into a faith healer’s show to gather ammunition for an exposé. There, he falls bits-first for “fit” Christina, a girl with a deep faith and terminal prognosis, and fails to tell her his true intent. Not only does he fall in love, but becomes convinced that the Devil’s paying back his deceit, big-time – chasing the lovers, in pursuit of Christina’s soul.

Frances Poet has written a pacy, gutsy, laugh-out-loud funny gem that moves you to tears, sets the heart racing and has you laughing almost all at once.

Molly Taylor’s Christina is a joy: never mawkish, holy or victim. Benny Young’s vicar is superb, with a gentle nod to Rikki Fulton. With the oh-so-human Adam (Gareth Glen), they create a golden ensemble. Graham McLaren’s direction is both smooth and pacy, ensuring this piece of roller-coaster theatre is a thrill from beginning to end.

Do all you can to catch this ridiculously enjoyable show – the lump in the throat is more than worth it.

Faith Fall, The Brewery, Tobacco Factory Theatre, 23-27 October, 12:30 lunch for 1:15; Friday 26 5:30 for 6:15