Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s 1991, our killer-heels are high, Charles and Diana are celebrating 10 years of wedded bliss (cough, cough) and we’re off to Tuck Island for a dragtastic night to remember!

This is a whodunnit like no other, where guests quickly begin sashaying away at a sickening pace. Phone lines are cut, roads are blocked while a dramatic storm rages, we’re soon left wondering who’ll be next to get the chop.

Having never met their hostess before, personalities soon begin to clash as dark secrets are revealed in all their camp, chaotic glory. There’s a killer on the loose and our delectable diners will need to work together to figure out just who it is bumping them off before there’s no one left to tell their raucous tale!

The extravagant soiree is hosted by the mysterious Lady Von Fistenburg (Vinegar Strokes), but nobody knows who she is nor why they’ve been invited. First guest is Morgan Pierce, the sharp-tongued, no-nonsense editor of World of the News played brilliantly by Karen from finance. Next to arrive is thrusting, testosterone fuelled producer Phil Maker delivered superbly by Georgina Frost.

Ra’jah O’Hara makes a strong theatrical debut as weather girl Summer Raines, while Richard Energy is hilariously convincing as Tory old boy Rich Whiteman. Last to arrive is faded pop star Shazza, played perfectly by Willam, an American one hit wonder who’ll happily burst into song at the teeny tiniest opportunity.

Completing the cast is the wonderful Holly Stars, playing the Bottomely triplets, Blue, Brie and Spread, event caterers who are more Fray Bentos than Foie Gras. Also the writer of the piece, she is an absolute joy to watch & threatens to steal every scene with her dead-pan delivery and physical comedy.

There are deliciously camp musical numbers, more witty one liners than you could shake a contour stick at, groan inducing toilet humour, perfectly timed theatrical thunderclaps plus a whole lot of silly, and the audience eat it up!

Act 1 flies by, as each guest is introduced, while the audience roar their approval. It’s swift pace giving you gag after gag while the action keeps you guessing. Act 2 loses a little momentum at times and would benefit from a little trimming to ensure it feels as punchy as Act 1.

The strong cast deliver some superb performances, with each individual demonstrating clearly what talented entertainers they are. While it’s totally farcical it’s also very clever and feels like a quality production, kudos to costume designer Isobel Pellow and wig designer Florencia Melone who have done an exceptional job.

Fun is absolutely the order of the day in this raucous romp that’s as camp as it is colourful. The dead have a hilarious habit of rising again while the witty wordplay will have you absolutely roaring with laughter.

Death Drop delivers exactly what theatre audiences are looking for right night, a great night of escapism, guaranteed laughter and a gorgeous feeling of shared experience.

Fierce, farcical and a whole lot of fabulous!

Catch Death Drop at The Lowry until Saturday 16th October, tickets available here.