Brand X have been a cult on the Edinburgh Fringe for a few years now, with their shows that are basically black cartoon comedies live on stage. Last summer’s sensation, Die, has now made it to London, and not before time. It’s set in Hell, which has been re-branded The Die Corporation and subjected to all kinds of trendy management tosh under the direction of infernal dominatrix Miss Fortune.
They manage to fit three distinct plot strands into 70 minutes. The first is yer usual office politics, only carried out between various rival demons and minions of the brimstone pit. The second tells in flashback the story of Hell’s latest new arrival, trailer-trash mass-murderer Deathrow Jethro, and asks us to vote on his fate. But it’s the third thread where Brand X really show their depraved talents.
Out of a random gene-splicer burst a series of bizarre, tasteless mutants. LiberArnie, part Terminator, part cabaret pianist, has a candelabra on his machine gun and simpers cheesily, “Come with me if you want to live!” Elephant Man Elvis has a strong following, but my favourites are Frankenstinatra (“Ol’ Blue Face is back”) and the Rot Pack, crooning about how cool it is to be undead.
The script is witty enough, but it’s the design that really takes the
breath away. It’s all incredibly well put together, and impossible to believe
there are only four performers. But, like a lot of Edinburgh shows,
it’s a bit over-exposed on transfer.
What was magnificent in a late-night slot, with a half-cut audience
who’d seen several shows that day, doesn’t quite stand up in its own prime
slot.
Written for Teletext.
Copyright © Ian Shuttleworth; all rights reserved.
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