My invitation read: if you’re feeling game, we’d like to offer you the opportunity to be seated in the Splatter Zone….souvenir poncho provided….splatter or safe?
Ok, my interested is piqued, so without consulting my partner, I accepted on our behalf to get soaked with stage blood….lots of it….hence the outerwear protection. Who doesn’t want to walk the blood -red carpet?
Did I mention there was blood? Embedded in the splatter zone, it ain’t ‘Singing in the Rain’, variety . EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL is hilarious, gory, blood-soaked rock musical based on the iconic 80’s cult film franchise. From the producers of The Play That Goes Wrong, Seymour’s Reginald Theatre has never experienced so much bloody chaos, (Shakespeare tragedies included), transformed into a rustic, ramshackle, not-so-demon-proof cabin. No wonder, I was thrilled at a performance that offered carnage, musical comedy and a groovy atmosphere, even though I’m not a die-hard horror enthusiast.
This is a panto that knocks the pants off theatrical excellence. When five college students venture to an abandoned cabin in the woods, they accidentally unleash an evil force that transforms them into demons. Its up to Ash, a Housewares’ clerk turned chainsaw-wielding hero to save the day and usher in the blood splatter. Limbs dismembered, demons crack bad jokes all accompanied by killer musical numbers. This show is a side-splitting hoot, a fabulous romp from start to finish. But wait, there’s more than show tunes and chainsaws, there’s a talking moose head. The cast unleash unhinged performances, a mash-up of a cult-classic-turned-musical that is obsessively fun with horror and comic, full-throttle musical chaos.
There’s an awful lot of extraordinary stage craftsmanship behind every ripped sleave, every teased fringe, every prosthetic wound and splattered costume courtesy of designer Renata Beslik who built this gory, hilarious romp from the ground up. She dove into the original Evil Dead films for inspiration using the classic 80’s college kids’ fashion , recreating the decade with all its La-la-land splendour, and lots of hairspray. “The casting is cool”, says Emma Wilby who plays Cheryl, innocent little sister turned foul-mouthed Deadite icon who admits joyfully it gave her permission to be completely unbearable on stage. She has magnetic athleticism and gesturing while cavorting, creating gags as she moves rapidly through her transition into loveable demon. The sense of mayham is echoed across the cast. Elaine Bianchi, playing Linda, says she was sold on a chance to be”silly on stage with blood, gore and chainsaws thrown in as a bonus”. She radiates a perfect fusion of actor with musical and dance-savvy thrust. Grace Aliston, pulling a double, as Annie snd Shelly, sums it up best, “how could I resist mayhem with comedy”
At the centre of stage madness is our chainsaw-wielding, one-liner spouting horror hero played to perfection by Harley Dasey, an equal parts goofball and deeply earnest friend. He is the only one not to become a demon….but has to fight them while singing in tune and being thoroughly funny. The attraction for him, as well as the rest of these budding actors is doing seven shows a week. There of-course, needs to be an ‘absolute douchebag’, played perfectly by Jake Ameduri whose role as Scott raises the roof both in squirmy misogynist gags with a strong physical stage presence. He takes pride in tormenting his co-workers on stage with a ramped up silliness, that’s goofy and funny. Paloma Renouf makes swing and dance look effortless while gleefully embracing the chaos. She has a charming presence, a total star role. Matt Hourigan tackles his character Swing by getting everyone’s worst night. For reliability, none can fake Harrison Riley’s Jake as is someone who is not adapt at demon warfare, but commands a rapturous presence, in movement and gawkability, his mild-mannered, hapless Ed played to exquisite perfection by Oliver Clisdell.
There are a number of songs one never forgets whether you want to or not.
* “Do the Necronomicon”- where the full cast danceing guaranteeing audience meltdown.
* “What the Fk Was That?” – a love ballet igniting the chemistry between Ash and Scott.
* “I’m Not a Killer” – a corker of a song at the finale of Act One which involves belting and….decapitation.
* “Housewares Employee”, p “Good Ol’ Reliable Jake” and deeply iconic “Bit-Part Demon”.
There’s ruckus accompanied by a tremendous amount of screaming in harmony whilst in the throes of singing and dancing…and blood. Its shtick but a slick production that deserves the frantic applause and cheering. It would do well at a larger venue.
The current season of EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL at the Reginald Theatre Seymour Centre until 21 March 2026.
