Deborah Frances-White’s Cult Following show is not only witty, well thought out and entertaining but is also an insightful show which cleverly intertwines the fundamentals of being a Jehovah's Witness and what inspired Deborah to escape.
It is quite a first for me to come out of a comedy show feeling so much more informed and knowledgeable about a subject but I did with Cult Following. After all, everyone knew a kid at school who was a Jehovah's Witness; who didn’t celebrate Christmas (akin to child abuse some would say) and who won’t accept blood transfusions but I am almost certain that there are a number of people, like me, who didn’t know that Jehovah's Witnesses believe they won’t go to heaven unless they are part of the 144,000 chosen and are not allowed to sponsor an otter!
I did take a while to get the double act of Deborah interacting and talking to us as her audience one minute and then switching to a scene which we were outsiders looking in on but once it clicked, it helped to tell her story and enabled her to change from a more light-hearted look at life as a Jehovah's Witness and their beliefs to describe situations which are a lot darker and in some ways more sinister.
Open and honest, this is perhaps not a suitable show for Jehovah's Witnesses, assuming they are even allowed to watch comedy. Everyone else attending should be prepared however for the dilemma that they may face when they are asked to decide between fruit and fire!
What she talks about: Jehovah’s Witnesses, adopting otters.
Show Details: 4.15 pm, Assembly Roxy. BOOK HERE.
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