Godfather Death: A Grimms’ Musical
★★★★★ Inspiring
The Space @ Surgeons Hall (Venue 53): Fri 2 – Sat 17 Aug 2024
Review by Eilidh Sim
Godfather Death: A Grimms’ Musical by The Avison Brothers at The Space @ Surgeons Hall for the first two weeks of the Fringe is an inspiring adaptation of a little known fairytale by the Brothers Grimm.
This is the story of a thirteenth child. When his parents try to give him to the workhouse, he finds both God and the Devil fighting to become his godfather. When his mother denies the pair, he finds himself godson to Death.
The Cast of Godfather Death a Grimm’ Musical.
Upon his eighteenth birthday Death visits him, and he realises he can tell when people are going to die. As a result of this he decides to become a famous physician, in the hope that he can cure death altogether.
Thirteenth Child, the musical’s emotional opening number, features the remarkable vocal talents of Iona Wood as the child’s mother, who perfectly portrays the vulnerability of having to give up her son.
Alia Swan brings great hilarity to the role the sister – as well as her desire to make a profit from her brother’s skill. This is exemplified in her number Death Is A Friend Of Mine, in which she gets to show off her exceptional singing capabilities.
The Physician, played by Jack Miller, brings a sense of the vulnerability of being so close to death when there is nothing he can do to stop it. Let You Down showcases this emotional portrayal, where he feels abandoned and alone, in addition to his incredible singing skills.
engaging
Andrew Lodge puts in an engaging performance as Death. His commanding singing voice helps create a powerful character, while also bringing out Death’s comic side.
Director Finlay Avison makes use of great use of a tiny stage, with only two chairs for a set, but still creating a wealth of different locations and making judicious use of costume. There’s still room for a live on-band, though, with Jack Avison on keys and guitar; and Jon Wallace on drums and percussion
The whole thing comes to a big, strong, comic and pleasingly choreographed finale in Everybody Dies (Thank Fuck) which still manages to find the morality of this childhood fairytale.
Running Time: One Hour (no interval)
The Space @ Surgeons Hall (Haldane Theatre), Niddry St, EH1 1TH (Venue 53)
Friday 2 – Saturday 17 August 2024
Daily (not 11): 3.10pm.
Tickets and details: Book here
Facebook: @godfatherdeathmusical
Instagram: @godfatherdeathmusical
X: @ GFDmusical
Linktree: @godfatherdeathmusical
ENDS
