HOW TO URN A LIVING by Zofia Zerphy / The Hen & Chickens

"It's more than a job, it's a lifestyle." ★★★

Welcome to the chaotic world of the Fowler funeral home. Assistant Lilith works alongside Wisteria, the Gothic mortician, and Mr. Fowler, a lithe young undertaker filled with nervous energy, who runs the funeral parlour.

Their business is threatened with closure due to the lack of deaths in the area as "people aren't dying like they used to". So Wisteria decides to take matters into her own hands, dragging Lilith into her murderous machinations.

This is an ambitious play that has some inspired ideas, such as the well choreographed montage sequences, a killer soundtrack and plenty of physical and farcical comedy, but it's real strength lies in it's word play and puns.

Everything is well thought out - from the costumes (Lilith wears a striped shirt reminiscent of Pugsley Addams and Wisteria is dressed head-to-toe in a black goth outfit) to the gory props (a severed hand and eyeball), to the set design (which includes an actual coffin).

The acting is impressive, with high octane performances from the entire cast. Zofia Zerphy's gleefully machiavellian turn as Wisteria is joyfully over the top, while Lilith is subtly underplayed by Fiona Lotara, and creates a well-balanced contrast. Meanwhile Yolanda Matji plays a vast array of different characters - various customers visiting Fowler's funeral home, from a cult member to the Black Dahlia to a toff called Mr. Hemlock who meets a sticky end.

Themes of moral ambiguity, grief and the capitalization of death are raised, and horror/comedy references abound. A fun night out if campy horror is your bag.

Presented by Berserk Theatre

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