The Hairy Godmothers create an ethereal experience with minimal set dressing and props, instead using richly developed world building and considered scriptwriting. As you settle into what promises to be a transcendental theatrical journey, it soon becomes apparent that one Grim Reaper is facing a (non)existential crisis that prompts them to seek answers and question the meaning of it all. Curiously, despite what is conventionally thought of as dark content, the laughs come early in smirks and giggles as the puns roll out and continue throughout as the banter and journey develop.

At times witty and thought-provoking, at other times satirical and incisive, the show is well-paced and never leaves the audience in the dour darkness alone without a laugh for too long. Interwoven amongst the witty dialogue and zealously delivered monologues are original broadway-esque show tunes that manage to entertain while simultaneously progressing the story.

Each performer appears multi-faceted and multi-talented, many of them a deft hand at a musical instrument or eliciting more laughs with dramatic dance choreography. Some seem most in their element when banging out a show tune of their own making, others seem wonderfully and disturbingly at home in their Reaper garb. It’s easy to get a sense that this troupe not only sings, dances, and acts together, they crafted this entertaining script together. They deftly tease at topical issues and wittily reframe the various foibles of humanity. The show itself delivers a blending of music, comedy, theatre, philosophy, and provocation and is variously rousing, heartwarming, moving, and hilarious.

From a troupe that is perhaps better known for their Fringe favourite Disney in Drag, this may be a new delight to eclipse their standing reputation. While the content dives into the dark and disturbing corners of what death can mean for many, it does it thoughtfully and with judicious applications of humour. It’ll be hard to adequately prime anyone for what will unfold in this darkened theatrical corner, but the likelihood is they’ll come out having enjoyed it thoroughly with, perhaps, a new twist on their perspective.