Creation

Play Synopsis

Creation, as the title implies, is the retelling of several Old Testament stories from the Bible. Peter Anderson uses his own particular language and style to retell these familiar tales. The play begins with a section entitled "Creation and the War in Heaven" in which Lucifer and the rebel angels are banished from Heaven when Lucifer rebels against God.

In the next scene, "Adam and Eve", God creates both characters from the Earth and gives them the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve sing a song about naming the animals.

"The Fall" is a scene in which Adam and Eve are tricked by Lucifer. He has taken the form of a serpent and convinces them to taste the fruit from the tree of knowledge. Adam and Eve fight because Eve believes she has done nothing wrong, and Adam convinces Eve that they have to leave the Garden. God watches them leave, disappointed at the misunderstanding.

"The Birth of the Ass", a comical scene, opens with Adam and Eve working the land. Eve is content and connected to the Earth, but Adam complains and wishes for someone to help him with his work. An angel appears and makes Adam pregnant, so that he can give birth to a helper – an Ass, whom he names "Working Class".

The next scene, "Cain and Abel", tells the story of these two brothers, sons of Adam and Eve. They disagree over many things, including their attitudes towards the Earth. Cain is interested in exploitation and ownership of the land; Abel is concerned about conservation. The two get into a fight, and Cain winds up killing Abel. The Ass is witness to the murder, and threatens to expose what Cain did. But when the police come to investigate what happened, Cain convinces them (with the help of a bribe) that the Ass is the killer.

The familiar tale of Noah's Ark is next, in the scene entitled "The Flood." Noah's daughter-in-law, Naomi, takes centre stage in this scene. She is an ardent environmentalist, trying to convince the townspeople to change their ways, and warning of impending doom. When Noah is asked to build the Ark, Naomi shoulders most of the burden, despite ridicule and scorn from family and friends. Eventually, the floods come, and Noah and his entourage are safe on the Ark. The dove brings back news of dry land and the sons disembark, only to begin fighting, yet again, over ownership of the new land. The scene ends with a song, entitled "Beget, Begat, Begot" which tells of Noah's many descendants.

The next scene in the play is entitled "Sarah's Lament". Sarah is beyond the age of childbearing, but desperately wishes to get pregnant. Her husband, Abraham, tries to console her and convince her to be happy with what they have. But Hagar, her pregnant maid, continues to assure Sarah that she will give birth to a child. 

In the play's final scene, "The Baby", angels deliver a child to Sarah and Abraham, and God foretells a great future for him. The child's name is Isaac, and it is prophesied that he will lead everyone to a promised land, and will "restore the harmony with God's creation". The entire cast assembles on stage for a final musical number.