Gimmicks can get you a long way in theatre. Not only did Fat Christ's stupendously 'look-at-me!' title and accompanying poster get banned on the Tube, it also 'stars' tabloid sex kitten Abi Titmuss - a woman whose acting CV includes a not-so-well-received stint in Arthur Miller's Two-Way Mirror in 2006, and an, um, 'intimate' home video. Still, such vacuity is relevant here, since Gavin Davis's comic play is all about making and losing dosh without having any actual talent.
Jack Taylor (played by, um, Jack Taylor) is a man of whims. When various movie and theatre projects go down the pan, Jack and his pregnant wife end up penniless in a remote cottage. A miracle arrives in the shape of a bumper gallery advance for the artistically challenged Jack to come up with a masterpiece - hence out comes the cross.
Davis's attempts to hold a mirror up to our fad-loving, reality TV-obsessed culture are noble but he only fitfully hits the target. Jack and his pal Dick (ho ho) deliver some fun banter but the result is more puerile than satirical. Titmuss, who plays Mrs Dick, isn't given much to do, but still performs as if remembering her lines is 99 per cent job done. Still, she's not afraid to send herself up, winding up spreadeagled on a sofa with Taylor between her legs. Gotta luv her.
