The Three Deaths of Ebony Black, Underbelly, Bristo Square (Daisy) – Review

The Three Deaths of Ebony Black, Underbelly, Bristo Square (Daisy) – Review

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

A cute puppetry show with musical numbers that takes a look at death with a farcical eye.

How can death be cute? Amberly Cull and Robert Wood seem to have found the answer in their highly entertaining, yet slightly dysfunctional, puppetry show The Three Deaths of Ebony Black. Combining lovely musical numbers with exhilarating comedy sketches, this two-hander, performed by Cull and Nick Pages-Oliver, is a romp that makes fun of death whilst celebrating life.

It is said that a person experiences three types of death. The first when the body ceases to function, the second when the corpse is buried and the third when the name of the deceased is pronounced for the last time. Before our eyes, Ebony Black experiences all three deaths in a tender journey around the circle of life.

We initially find her on her death bed. She’s writing her will and, after one last wild dance, she passes away. At the funeral, her sister Ivory is giving instructions for her burial to a dedicated funeral director and his ambitious assistant. Meanwhile, the guests gather around her coffin. Ivory’s adopted children are aware that the will involves a conspicuous sum of money left to Ebony’s “favourite person”. Speculations about who the recipient could be lead them to make a wager. Meanwhile Ivory’s young granddaughter is having an existential crisis after discovering that people can die, whilst Ebony’s former carer is much concerned about her last wishes.

In a whirlwind of misunderstanding and mishaps, the multi-talented pair of performers become singers, dancers, improv masters and even tech operators, whilst their puppets come to life in unpredictable ways. In the end, following the best tradition of theatrical farces, the good-hearted people are rewarded, the villains are punished, and the memory of Ebony Black is preserved… until the day someone is bound to recall her name for the last time.

Described as Death at a Funeral meets The Muppets, this award-winning show from Australia is making his debut in the UK. Uplifting, irreverent, yet tasteful (despite a certain abundance of vomit) it is guaranteed to entertain the whole family, although the most brilliant jokes run the chance to be picked up exclusively by adult ears.

Written by: Amberly Cull and Robert Wood
Producer: Lee Martin for Gag Reflex
Box Office: +44 (0)131 226 0000
Booking Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/three-deaths-of-ebony-black
Booking Until: This show has completed its current run.