one4review | On 22, Aug 2024

‘Dark’ was used by both the company and the blurb to describe this show, and though it’s not very helpful before you’re in, it’s apparent what this means when you’ve seen the show. There’s more swearing than might be expected at lunchtime, some of the humour pushes the boundaries of what’s funny (being ginger?), and the tale itself echoes camp horror. I wonder if a later slot might serve this admittedly excellent production better.

However, the hype is justified, and the show is polished and very well produced, without feeling like overproduction has squashed any sparkle or fun. The cast are great, the songs are fun, there’s a great attention to the relationship between the music and the characters, who are introduced in a nicely traditional-musical way. The settings – mainly Little BooBoos General Hospital – are well described without too much fuss, and the puppeteering makes you forget the hand (until deliberate attention is drawn to it!).

This is an ensemble piece, with space for the whole cast to shine, and they do, with each their moment in the spotlight. Some elements – Dr. Acula’s proposal song – might be a bit uncomfortable with the wrong audience, but in overall, the show is exactly as promised: silly horror fun.

Reviewed by Laura

Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose
13:30
Until 25th