Blasphemous, bonkers and brilliantly queer
Following on from last year’s breakout Fringe run, Jeezus! returns for its second coming in London this spring, and it does so with even more sparkle, swagger, and subversive bite. Directed by Laura Killeen, this latest offering from migrant-led theatre company Alpaqa is flamboyant, strutting onto the stage in sequins and refusing to apologise for a single second of its identity.
Co-written and performed by Sergio Antonio Maggiolo and Guido Garcia Lueches, the show thrives on their electric chemistry. Both deliver standout performances, particularly Guido, who shifts seamlessly between an ensemble of multiple characters. Maggiolo’s Jesús is all wide-eyed innocence and hormonal confusion, playing the role with a straight-faced sincerity that makes the escalating ridiculousness even funnier.
Set in 1990s Peru during a period of military dictatorship, the story centres on Jesús, the son of José and María (think, Mary and Joseph). As he prepares for his first communion, Jesús has to confront a growing realisation, his love for Jesus might not be entirely spiritual. What unfolds is a vibrant and often hilarious exploration of queer identity, religious guilt, and the tension between personal truth and societal expectation.
Clocking in at a tight 69 minutes, a detail we’re cheekily told upon arrival, the runtime is no accident, and it sets the tone for what follows. This is a show that knows exactly what it is doing: playful, provocative, and knowingly cheeky. That confidence carries through the entire production. Subtlety isn’t on the menu here. Instead, Jeezus! delivers a rapid-fire barrage of jokes, innuendo, and outright blasphemy. There are plenty of genuine laugh-out-loud moments, though at times the relentless stream of dick jokes feels more gratuitous than purposeful, adding noise rather than sharpening the comedy.
The musical numbers are a clear highlight. High-energy and infectiously fun, they elevate the show beyond sketch-like comedy into something more cohesive. Drawing on everything from hip-hop to Latin beats, the songs are paired with sharp, playful lyrics that land just as well as the jokes. Much of their success is down to musical director Tom Cagnoni, who performs as a one-man orchestra, juggling multiple instruments with impressive ease. His presence isn’t just musical, he actively feeds into the comedy, adding an extra layer of charm to the performance.
Unapologetically queer, deliberately provocative, and consistently funny, Jeezus! is a riotous return that delivers exactly what it promises. It’s messy, outrageous, and more than a little sinful—but that’s entirely the point.
Jeezus runs until 9th May at the New Diorama Theatre in London.
Content warning: The show contains sexual content, strong and homophobic language and is recommended for ages 16+