Everything Theatre Reviews, interviews and news for theatre lovers, London and beyond
A unique and thought-provoking exploration of life, death, and relationships. Summary
Rating
Good
Death and the Cat tells the captivating story of how Death and his pet cat, Panther, experience a falling out, leaving the afterlife — and everything connected to it — in disarray. With an engaging blend of gods, demons, a harrowing taxi ride, the eerie Hotel Mort, and a pub in Wales, the narrative explores themes of friendship, the inevitability of death, and the lengths we go to for our loved ones.
Originally conceived as a short story by Robert Slater for a university assignment in 2018, the work has evolved into a remarkable play. Slater’s writing showcases a beautifully dark moral: death is inevitable. It then encourages us to make the most of our time while we can. However, despite the reflective conclusion, the audience is left pondering various aspects of the plot. This sense of unfinished business and the presence of loose ends creates a feeling of incompleteness in the overall story.
The serious storyline is skilfully interspersed with comedic interludes, which add a delightful contrast to the heavier themes. One of my favourite moments involves a spirited argument between God and the Devil. The ability to evoke laughter in an audience while tackling such profound existential topics truly illustrates Slater’s talent as a writer.
In my experience, two-hour plays often tend to drag, but this production manages to maintain a fast-paced rhythm that keeps the audience engaged throughout. However, there’s room for a tighter focus on the main storyline as certain scenes exploring a secondary plot involving Panther on a cruise feel somewhat distracting.
The Drayton Arms is a relatively intimate venue but Director Penny Gkritzapi effectively utilises the limited space, incorporating the entire stage, having minimal props, and using several multi-role characters.
The creative use of costume can greatly enhance character development. Lydia Cashman, for example, who portrays the Devil, wears a striking pink leather skirt and space buns that cleverly resemble horns, perfectly embodying the rebellious and flirty nature of her character. Conversely, Rowland Sterling‘s portrayal of Death might benefit from additional accessories to elevate his simple white shirt and black trouser combination. At one point in the play, a joke is made about Death being ‘goth’, but this humour falls flat, as his appearance resembles that of a dishevelled businessman rather than a brooding figure of the afterlife.
Sterling’s acting relies heavily on his vocal delivery, which proves to be a double-edged sword. While his use of voice effectively conveys certain emotions, excessive shouting at times detracts from the overall performance and, regrettably, could be a bit overwhelming for the audience.
Special mention must be given to Kieran Dobson, who plays a relatively small character, Chris. Despite the minor role, he makes a lasting impression during his scene, skilfully shifting the atmosphere and prompting the audience to reflect on the nature of morality and what makes a person ‘bad’.
Rosalie Evans, portraying the character of the panther, brings a unique energy to her role. However, aside from her striking all-black costume and cat ears, as well as the occasional hand-licking, I found it somewhat challenging to recognise her as a pet cat. While the play does refer to her as a “magic cat”, emphasising her feline traits a bit more could enhance her character development even further. Nevertheless, her performance is engaging, and I appreciate the creativity involved in bringing this character to life!
Death and the Cat is a thought-provoking and interesting play that resonates with its audience. With its unique blend of humour and gravity, it offers an intriguing perspective on life and the connections we cherish.
Written by: Robert Slater
Directed by: Penny Gkritzapi
Death and the Cat runs at Drayton Arms Theatre until 30 November. Further information and booking details can be found here.
