CULTURE GECKO
My Little Plastic Jesus is a Humorous, Heartwarming, Charismatic Magnetic One Man Show Reflecting on his Religious Upbringing
By Ezekiel McAdams
October 17 2025
*This is a spoiler free review of the performance from October 17 2025, where the performance took place in a living room of a Saskatoon resident. There is a talk back after each performance, so every experience may vary. – Author’s Note*
Bratton has a simple set, luggage consisting of various props for the performance helping illuminating his experiences with physical context and a projection screen
The specific space this utilizes performing in a different living room venue adds to the magic of the performance. The specific living room I was in for the preview performance on October 17, was small, cozy and an intimate experience for the six to seven people in the audience. Though, I was later told most shows typically have twenty to thirty people in the room. *EDIT*
Bratton is charismatic, effortlessly charming as he unravels the thread of his Evangelical religious upbringing and grapples and contemplates some of the difficult truths of his denomination and church.
The production relies heavily on a projection screen as Bratton pulls examples from his childhood how much religion has saturated pop culture from a eclectic range of music genres of rock, pop, rap to food, clothes etc to powerful effect.
My Little Plastic Jesus from Burnt Thicket Theatre returns for another tour. This iteration starts in Saskatoon on October 17th and runs until November 7th 2025 across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, ending its run back in Saskatoon.
My Little Plastic Jesus is created by and stars Tim Bratton. Burnt Thicket Theatre Co-Founder Stephen Waldchmidt acts as both director and stage manager. Johanna Wright was the production’s dramaturge (2018-2019). Bratton also serves as the production manager.
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The production was originally produced in 2019, for its world premiere on October 17 2019 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The tour has had subsequent iterations in 2020, 2023 and early 2025 across Canada.
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My Little Plastic Jesus focuses on Bratton coming to term his religious upbringing and contemplating how religion fits in his life currently.
The direction by Waldshmidt is simple, effective and precise which allows Bratton’s energy and his performance take centre stage and truly shine as Bratton gives a layered performance that runs the gamut of emotions at times.
My Little Plastic Jesus is a powerful, heartfelt one man show where Bratton gives a vulnerable, conflicted performance that’s magnetic, humorous as it is gut wrenching at times.
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This production is an illuminating performance that’s much needed in today’s world and political and religious climate. My Plastic Jesus expertly balances one man’s experience and how untangling religion intermixed with nostalgia weighs heavily on Bratton.
Burnt Ticket Theatre's My Little Plastic Jesus runs from October 17-November 7th 2025 in various living spaces across Saskatchewan. Tickets can be bought online here
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