Theatre / black comedy
Review: Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder!, Bristol Old Vic – ‘One of the most fun evenings you are likely to have in the theatre this year’
After a hugely successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder!, created by creative team behind the award-winning Fleabag, has arrived in Bristol Old Vic for a two-week run.
Kathy and Stella are childhood friends, yet to find their way in life, recording a true crime podcast in the basement in Hull, featuring all their favourite murders.
After meeting Felicia Taylor, their favourite true crime author, they find themselves at the centre of a very real crime story of their own. Solving the crime will lead them to fame and fortune, but can they go from talking about murder to unravelling their own mystery?
is needed now More than ever
Kathy & Stella company
Led by the lovable Stella and geeky Kathy, perfectly played by Bronté Barbé and Rebekah Hinds, the story is told mainly through comedy songs that – while not always the catchiest numbers that will get you singing along – certainly keep the fun levels dialled up.
The potential ‘meet cute’ number during an autopsy song steals the first half, while Imelda Warren-Green shows the power of her voice in the second half. The supporting cast is excellent. In particular, Jodie Jacobs gives a brilliant versatile performance as multiple characters throughout the show, and the excellent TJ Lloyd lights up every scene he appears in.
The live music throughout the show is brilliantly performed from the side of the stage, which, combined with the clever set design, lends the whole production a very West-End feel.
TJ Lloyd as Justin
Comedy murder podcasts like All Killa No Filla have become a cultural phenomenon over the last decade and you can see the influence of this genre throughout. While the subject of these podcasts might be dark, this show never strays into the macabre, and will certainly be entertaining audiences or a long time to come.
There are echoes of the zany elements found in musicals such as Little Shop of Horrors too, leaving the audience with many laugh-out-loud moments and the cast and production team with a deserved standing ovation.
Musical comedy is never easy, but both the music and the jokes hit their mark throughout, and together with the perfect performances of the cast, this is one of the most fun evenings you are likely to have in the theatre this year.
Kathy and Stella solve a Murder! (age recommendation 12+) is at Bristol Old Vic from September 13-30 at 7.30pm, with additional 2pm matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday. The show is presented by Francesca Moody Productions, Kater Gordon, Wessex Grove and Fiery Angel, in association with Bristol Old Vic. Tickets are available from www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
All photos: Ellie Kurttz
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