Hex @ Hill Street

Consumerism, faith and one hell of a problem with house infestation are just some of the themes in Strange Town’s Hex. Written and directed by Tim Primrose and Sam Siggs, this play gives comedy a much-needed kick up the arse.

Set in an ordinary household, everyday couple Toby (Ben Clifford) and Gwen (Sarah McGillvray) anxiously await the arrival of alternative healing practitioners (and lovers) Siobhan (Beth Godfrey) and Six (Colleen Garrett) to help them with an issue they’ve been experiencing. But Toby and Gwen’s seemingly simple life is actually everything but, and over the course of the day it’s revealed that their apparently common problem is not just extraordinary, but deadly.

Initially presented as a fuzzy and predictable romantic comedy, Hex is suddenly revealed as a fantastical and surreal affair that not only questions ideas of faith, belief, fraud and fads, but it also addresses the problem of unwanted and unwelcome house guests. Featuring moments of sheer and unashamed terror, combined with hilarity and confusion, the strength of Hex lies in its ability to lull the audience into a false sense of security, before literally turning the play on its head, and going in a direction that no one could have possibly imagined.

It’s this ability to go down an unexpected road, plus an enviable talent for timing that makes this dark comedy less of a warm and familiar show, and more of a black, deadly, but undoubtedly funny production that’s as original as it is exceptional. Although similar in style to Siggs’ earlier play, The Pest, which also featured Clifford and McGillvary as a young couple battling with a few unexpected visitors, Hex is the kind of play that suits the Fringe perfectly, it’s different, technically sound, and most important of all, fun.

A highly promising production, Hex has cemented Strange Town’s reputation as a growing theatre company that specialises in producing high-quality work from Edinburgh’s up and coming young theatre professionals.