A cheery, dazzling morality play about death. One person is to go before God and represent all humanity, and it is not a coincidence that this Everyman is a cowardly wheedling narcissist. The three performers make this old and morbid tale profound, fun, and warm – even with regular calls of “Exit Friendship! Exit Strength!”. Their flow is both improvised and confident, graceful and clownish. They use the audience a lot, and well – we can always be depended upon to be mute embarrassed stooges. The atmosphere recalls Tim Burton – jauntily Gothic – except that Splendid Productions are good. Best of all are their seven interludes on human universals: funny, full of musical slapstick, and keeping the show’s momentum up.

Underbelly Bristo Square, until 25th Aug, 10.50am.
tw rating 4/5 │ [Gavin Leech]