Jane and Kel Go to Hell

There’s a special joy that comes from viewing locally created works that could easily hold their own on a world stage. Brisbane playwright Steve Pirie has delivered such a script with his devilishly funny horror comedy Jane and Kel Go to Hell. The play is a laugh-out-loud, thrilling, well-paced buddy story with relatable characters and nonstop quotable dialogue. Amid the laughter, thrills and familiar songs, he’s incorporated a heart-warming tale of friendship and love.

Best mates Jane and Kel are on the lookout for a new housemate to help cover the rent after Jane loses her job. A seemingly perfect candidate, Roy appears on their doorstep as the ladies are recovering from a drunken evening of karaoke. He quickly moves in and it slowly dawns on Kel there’s something not-quite-right about him. When Jane ends up being dragged off to hell, it’s up to Kel to try to save her best friend’s soul.

The acting was excellent, especially from leads Kayla Robinson as Jane and Emma Black as Kel. These women were fearlessly funny and shared tangible chemistry. The casting was perfection, in particular Daniel Simpson as Roy in both physicality and acting ability.   

Kudos to technical designer Wil Hughes; the lighting and special effects were really cool and set design was clever. Musical and SFX cues were executed perfectly. Direction by Steve Pirie and Maddie Nixon was outstanding. They’ve guided the actors to use the space really well and created an environment in which the cast have been able to give their all without trepidation.

There are so many fun surprises throughout Jane and Kel Go to Hell. It’s really wonderful to experience a show that’s paced the revelation of information so well. As the truth of what’s happening in the characters’ lives is revealed, all the little clues you’re given from the start fall into place.   

Other highlights included Lyle the nervous karaoke host (played by Ben Warren), the special effect when characters were dragged off to hell and the couple singing the Greece Mega Mix karaoke. 

This production definitely goes to the top of the list of the best things I’ve seen all year. The story has great appeal, especially to anyone who keeps abreast of the latest trends in our vernacular. If I were a film producer I’d green-light this in a heartbeat as it would translate excellently to cinema. If this is indicative of their standards, Share House Theatre Company, Steve Pirie, Kayla Robinson and Emma Black are definitely ones to watch out for in future.

Kiesten McCauley

Photography by Perception Productions