DATING THE DEAD by Julie Balloo, part of GrimFest at Old Red Lion Playhouse 23 – 26 Oct

“a witty, wickedly entertaining comedy about communicating with the dearly departed.”★★★★

There’s life in the afterlife in DATING THE DEAD, a witty, wickedly entertaining comedy about communicating with the dearly departed.

Sybil (Jan Goodman) is a medium who helps the living reconnect with their loved ones on the other side. From telling a young woman that her late uncle is concerned she’s becoming a pisshead to reassuring a widower that his dead wife approves of his decision to remarry, Sybil delivers practical advice from beyond the grave, whether welcome or not.

But when the murderous ghost of Mary Ann Cotton offers Sybil the chance to spend 24 hours in the afterlife with her deceased husband, she faces a potentially fatal dilemma. Mary Ann presents her with three potions: one will kill Sybil outright, one will allow her to visit the afterlife and return, and one will do absolutely nothing. As ghosts, including her recently expired neighbour, Three Doors Down Ivy (Claire Vousden), offer advice and warnings, Sybil must decide whether the risk is worth taking.

Written and produced by Julie Balloo, with Tug J Wilson as co-writer and director, this is a fun romp with a sharp script, cracking one-liners and well-drawn, recognisable characters.

Jan Goodman brings warmth and a matter-of-fact delivery to Sybil, who takes the supernatural mayhem in her stride and keeps us invested in her fate. Claire Vousden is a delight as Ivy, whose quirky energy and infectious enthusiasm suggest that death has improved her outlook on life. Meanwhile, Carol Been gleefully embodies notorious Victorian serial killer Mary Ann Cotton, revelling in her thoroughly malevolent determination to kill as many people as possible in the afterlife.

The ghosts span different eras, from actress Peg Entwistle, a 1930s starlet who jumped from the H of the Hollywood sign, to a modern-day unfortunate. Historically accurate costumes help distinguish the characters, while the atmospheric lighting from Melody Mengyun Li and sound design by Yuyang Li and Zhuoer Zhou enhance the transitions between the everyday and the supernatural.

The middle section loses momentum as successive ghostly interventions revisit Sybil’s dilemma without significantly developing it, so a little trimming would sharpen the comedy. Otherwise, DATING THE DEAD is a clever, characterful comedy with a terrific cast whose enjoyment is infectious.

Box office: https://weareoldred.co.uk/whats-on/grimfest/dating-the-dead/