Blue Angel - Presented by Laura Goodlet (4 February 2025)

This is the second show I've seen in the space of a few days where immortal beings concern themselves with the fate of humankind. They struggle to control our destructive nature and seem particularly susceptible to that most human of emotions… love. It's a well worn trope and taken on that basis Blue Angel is moderately successful. 

Where it excels though is when you put that narrative device aside and realise this is a workplace dramedy between two friends… who just happen to be angels. This plays to the clear chemistry between the two performers, Lauren Thomas (Beth) and Georgia Goff (Elle), who, at times, seem to be genuinely enjoying moments as friends more so as performers. 

The intimate black box space of the KAOS Room at the Blue Room Theatre works to the advantage of this exploration of a quirky friendship which covers millennia. We begin circa 4000 BC where Elle is an aspiring angel who idolises Beth, ostensibly her boss. The rules and bureaucracy of Angel Headquarters are quickly established in a typical workplace induction. I must confess, with the continual projection of some key points on the wall, I was feeling pretty indoctrinated by it all myself! 

The main rule all angels must remember is “Be near, don't interfere” as they go about their tasks interacting with humans in four major ways. You just know there's going to be some interference along the way. Enter decidedly mortal Henry (Glenn Wallis) to cause one of our angels to feel blue in a whole different way. By now, Beth and Elle have moved from work colleagues to besties as they witness everything from Julius Caesar's demise to the fall of the Berlin Wall with a bit of plague thrown in along the way. 

Elle is the more pessimistic of the two, worn down by our propensity for violence and cruelty whereas Beth remains stoically optimistic. They dance, they sing karaoke - who knew Tears for Fears were so big in the afterlife - and there's a touch of Michael Schur's wondrous The Good Place about it all. 

There is a clear delineation between the two - Goff gives Elle a larger than life enthusiasm in the early going that is endearing in its intensity. This also sets up the trajectory of Elle's arc as a certain moroseness sets in after literally thousands of years. Yes, workplace disappointments can certainly get you down. Thomas brings an ethereal beauty to Beth and is far more composed by comparison. Until she becomes animated by a visit to Athens and a little rule breaking. Their playful frolics together are a delight with uninhibited enthusiasm which is only enhanced by a few prop mishaps. Wallis adds the charm in a lovely cameo.

Writer & director Laura Goodlet lets the play breathe in these moments of simple joy between two friends. Being so close to the performers you feel the authenticity of their connection. Appropriate iconography is sprinkled throughout from a wry explanation of the angel wings to images projected on one wall which shift with the times. Lighting design by Matthew Erren adds to the otherworldly nature of this most unusual of workplaces while Movement Director Kurtis Brown adds class when needed and a certain goofiness that illustrates the essential nature of the friendship.

I don't know if I gained a greater understanding of key events in human history. What I did learn though is that angels are just like the rest of us - after a little workplace satisfaction and a friend you can let your hair down with to dance your troubles away and sing karaoke badly. I can think of worse things to while away the millennia!

Blue Angel is on at the Blue Room as part of Summer Nights 2025 until 8 February.