one4review | On 18, Aug 2026

Anyone who’s ever been in a slimming group knows that they can be a little bit cult-y. The ritualistic weighings, the confessing of “sins” and the strict adherence to rules to live a good life can feel all too religious. That’s certainly how Lily, a young woman hoping for a fresh start after a breakup, feels when she joins her local branch of Slim For Life, a diet group who seem delighted to have her as a member. But as the session continues and the talk from the group’s leader starts becoming more and more sinister, Lily wonders what it’ll cost her to get thin. Because at this rate it might be her soul.

Slim for Life is a wonderfully creepy comedy play with a great premise in its satanic slimming society. From the start of the show, when you’re welcomed into the theatre with a membership sticker by the manically grinning members, there’s an atmosphere of unease that only grows as events unfold. The actors, in particular those who play the four key existing regulars are wonderfully creepy, each in their unique way, from the morbid goth Morticia, to the militaristically minded Blaise who views eating as warfare for the body, to the deliciously sinister head of the group the high-heeled Beatrix Crowley. Of particular note is the constantly sneezing Percy (played by Joseph Palmer), whose near-perversely intense sliminess was as delightful on stage as it would be disgusting off it.

While the show is definitely sinister, it isn’t afraid to be silly either, and a lot of this humour comes from the forth-wall breaking Narrator, who occasionally slides in as a character to add both explanation and exposition, or occasionally, just because.

While the start of the show is excellent, it did feel the ending (involving several unexpected twists and turns) did somewhat undercut and unravel the more spooky atmosphere that had developed which, for a big ol’ goth boy like myself, was a bit of a shame, but I’m willing to accept I might be in a minority.

There is plenty to surprise and delight in this show, from the unusually high quality of the writing and direction of Oliver Gallagher, to the unexpected musical numbers, the tearaway trousers and the literal Satanic business cards listing Old Nick’s OnlyFans account. An easy recommendation if you like your theatre savvy, silly and spooky.

****
Reviewed by Tom

20:20

10th-15th

Studio at theSpace @ Niddry St