Camden Fringe: Death Suits You

★★★★ ½ 

Death is feeling a little unappreciated for all the genius, planning and persuasion he uses to take us all out, and he’s going to tell you about it through gorgeous song and dance in Death Suits You at Theatro Technis at the Camden Fringe.

 This is an extremely dark comedy – so dark, the writer Sam Hooper (who also performs the show) often wonders whether he’s gone too far with the dark humour But know that you are supposed to laugh, a big awkward squawk that moves into a belly laugh because this show is deeply amusing, well sung and incredibly well danced in a montage of stories.

An extraordinary team of talented people have come together to put this show on. Hooper, who acts the show and is it’s lyricist and libretto writer wrote the show with Robert Tripolino who is an accomplished composer as well as current starring as Jesus in Regent Theatre Open Air Theatre’s Jesus Christ Superstar at the Barbican. Directed by Gabrielle Scawthorne, an accomplished performer in her own right, does an astounding job in her debut as a director, giving the show simplicity, heart, and a surprising amount of hope and joy for a show about death.

The show smashes together history and anecdotes with speedy spoken word poetry, song and multiple complex full-blown dance sequences. Hooper is something above a triple threat – he can sing, dance, act and write a great show. He shares eight stories from Death’s varied career, showing off his planning, artistry, creativity and effort in a way that is cheeky, witty, and devilishly charming.

The two musicians smash it in this show with gorgeous melodies and sounds but just two pairs of hands and some guitars, a keyboard, a percussion box and a violin. The show is fast paced, with good use of space and sound effects, and a lot of fun to watch.

 Death Suits You is on at Camden Fringe until 25th August. More info.