With a cast of three and a title like Dead & Deader, I was expecting this production to be something along the lines of Tom Stoppard – a comedy–theatre experience of existential proportions. Although it lacked the intellectual sophistication of Stoppard, Dead & Deader was nonetheless an enjoyable romp down the river Styx, complete with cameos by God and Lucifer.

A delightful concoction of narrative theatre, visual montage and stand-up, Dead & Deader had me chuckling from the start. Portraying the Grim Reaper as a bumbling bureaucrat was a stellar idea, and an excellent way to ground the script. Some stand-out moments include a monologue about sliced bread, an explanation of what happens when you google Google, and the pen of eternal blood.

The narrative holding the script together lost its way a little with the introduction of segments of stand-up comedy, and the show would have worked much better without them. The stand-up was generally delivered with confidence but suffered a few self-conscious moments. There was also a puerile streak to the humour that has the potential to annoy the crap out of audience members. It certainly did not appeal at all to my friend, and totally soured her experience.

If you decide to see this on my recommendation and don’t like it, well, at least the proceeds go to the Cancer Council. But for my money, while you’re sailing down the Styx, sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey.