DramaLondonReview

How To Urn A Living – Camden Fringe 2024, Hen & Chickens Theatre

Reviewer: Harry Conway

Writer: Zofia Zerphy

Director: Vilde Bjørkedal

A family-run funeral home is not a typical setting for a lighthearted comedy about two prolific serial killers, but it’s this contrast between the weird and the whimsical that Zofia Zerphy sets squarely in her sights for this highly entertaining comedy, where Fawlty Towers meets Sweeney Todd.

The setup is clear cut – Fowler’s Funerals is failing due to a lack of deaths, and unlike the despairing Mr Fowler (Tobias Jorgensen), the morbid mortician Wisteria (Zofia Zerphy) takes matters into her own hands to generate business, dragging the naive shop assistant Lilith (Fiona Lotara) along with her as she steadily butchers her victims (played with an impressive range by Yolanda Matji). This seemingly grim character dynamic hides the almost slapstick comedy that emerges between the two as Wisteria constantly coaxes and tricks the doe-eyed Lilith to follow her down increasingly dark paths.

All performers here are graduates of East15, and each shows strong promise, finding their characters and demonstrating a keen balance between grounding their role while also knowing exactly when to play things for laughs. Not quite complementing this is the direction, however, which often has these well-rounded characters rushing through most of their scenes, lending proceedings a frenetic air but rarely giving key moments the space they need to breathe.

On the flip side, this fast energy is keenly felt during the stand-out moments of the play, the montages that double as transitions between the acts, each one a delight. Mixing equal parts character building, plot progression and comedic set piece, they’re all expertly choreographed and set to ideal musical numbers. If the whole show was on this level, it would be a knockout.

Unfortunately, the story itself also has a few ups and downs, as while there’s a serviceable opening and an enjoyable increase in tension as the show goes on, the whole affair wraps up abruptly in an ending that dissipates all energy it has built up. Our protagonists, dreading what might happen if they are discovered, have their worst fears realised – yet little changes. Additionally, all character arcs are cut short, with no satisfying resolution to what has come before. It’s telling that the show is a good 10 minutes shy of an hour, 10 minutes that could easily have delivered an ending to fully satisfy.

Ultimately then this is the skeleton of a wonderful show, one that will surely deliver as it gains a bit more flesh on its bones, but as it stands it’s an entertaining romp that brims with potential. With a little refinement, it can easily achieve the staying power it deserves.

Runs until 1 August 2024

Camden Fringe runs until 25 August 2024

The Reviews Hub Score

Rough but lovable

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The Reviews Hub - London

The Reviews Hub London is under the editorship of Richard Maguire. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.

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