Apparently hell has no fury like a woman scorned, and this is definitely the case with Morbid. The Devil wears a red dress - and has been dumped by God (who is partial to a drink and wears a baggy sweater and one pink sock). A famous Christian singer Mary McCall is going to perform a tribute to her late husband - a man of the cloth. Mary McCall (her vampish performance has little in common with Songs of Praise) is then shot dead - with a crucifix, in a rather heavy-handed piece of symbolism - and is on her way to the afterlife. She's in for a shock when she finds that she is not welcome in either heaven or hell, and questions her beliefs.

A strength of the production is fine choral speaking. The 'echo' effect produced by it when she is spoken to by angels (who display superb physical performance tumbling through the audience) is very well staged. So are the set-pieces, eg God arriving on a motorbike with two angels to the strains of Looking Out for a Hero - not to save the day but just because they are on a Sunday afternoon jaunt. There are also a few funny camp double-entendres such as 'taste but don't swallow', and 'I feel his spirit in my fingers'.

Morbid up to here is excellently staged and tightly-performed. After this, company The Fiasco Division come close to their name. They had cleverly subverted expectations with an unexpected start to the show. When they announce an interval - not a real one - it misfires badly. A running gag which lacks any punchline is then performed over audience chatter and the cast decamp into the audience. Mr Jeremiah Twatt - yes it is that level of humour - says that the late Mary McCall will be coming and may become abusive. But swearing for the sake it doesn't shock any more.

The whole of the second half is incoherent. An offer of audience participation isn't greeted with enthusiasm; the performer who played the Devil sings a version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow; there is talk of Marxism; an invitation for everyone to grab a partner and have a slow dance (an offer that is once again only taken up by the cast). The Fiasco Division clearly have the potential to become a tight ensemble, and show terrific vocal and physical ability. But the second half is a mess, and tips into self-indulgence.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Cast: Lauren McCullum. Alexander Roberts. Stephanie Thorpe. Kari Vidarrson. Anna Zehentbauer.

Company Credits: Writer - uncredited. Devised By - the company. Director - uncredited. Lighting Designer - Ralph Stokeld. Sound Designer - uncredited. Technical Operator - uncredited. Stage Manager - Nathan Evans. Producer - uncredited. Company - The Fiasco Division.

END

(c) Clive Greenwood 2009

reviewed Friday 21 August 09 / Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com