Evil Dead the Musical

This musical literally is a scream. If you can stomach it, see it up close in the splatter-zone. That is the two front rows.

We were assigned seats A9 and A10. During interval ponchos were provided to repel the fake blood. You think you are safe if someone is being stabbed on stage left – but no there are little squirters coming in all directions. (Ruth and David Spicer, pictured right.)

A patron behind us foolishly wore a white T-shirt. What was he thinking? We were very well sprayed, but can report it was easy to wash off, and lots of fun to be in the thick of it.

I came into the musical cold, having never seen the original 1981 budget horror film.  Five young colleagues from a Wal Mart like shopping centre break into a secluded cabin in the woods.

Owing to some ancient curse, which they discover in a message on a tape-recording,  demons gradually take over the horny young adults.

The set and props from Eric Luchen are terrific, as you’d expect from the producer/director Daniel Stoddart, who recently toured The Play That Goes Wrong. Spooky things move around. Guts hang out.  A mounted moose sings.

There is a hatch door which is home to one of the recently converted demons – Cheryl. (Emma Wilby). It was slammed many times and miraculously Emma managed to avoid getting her fingers caught – which would have seen real blood squirting.

The leading man Ash (Harley Dasey) chain saws off his hand when it is possessed – replacing it with a real chain saw. The hand through remains possessed and lives to scare the cast for the rest of the show.

Ash teases his girl-friend Annie (Grace Alston) with what looks like an engagement ring but forgets her instantly when she dies and a more glamorous guest arrives.

In the mix is Scott (Jake Ameduri) ,a great looking dancer with mangled accents. He arrives with rows of condoms but it’s not clear if he got to use many before his brand-new girl-friend Linda (Elaina Bianchi) is ‘transformed’.

It has to be said that as a musical it’s not much chop.

The three-piece band did the work needed but a lot of the songs are OK at best. In this production they were dressed up well with the cute and energetic choreography from Lochlan Erard.

The highlights included ‘Good Old Reliable Jake’ from Harrison Riley, which had a pitch perfect accent and the show stealer ‘Bit Part Demon’ from Oliver Clisdell as Ed.

The titles of the other songs give you a flavour for the show. They include ‘Do the Necronomicon’ and ‘Blew that ***** Away’.

The Sydney season is almost sold out so critics don’t matter. I was told that at our media night the audience was subdued compared to regular performances filled with Evil Dead aficionados, which go off.

 If you can get ticket this is a great date night out.

David Spicer

Production Photographer: Peter Stoop.