How To Be Dead

 

No Eating or Drinking During Performance - normally an annoying edict, but here potentially life-saving advice, with the amount of laughter emanating from the room (some of it from your correspondent). In this new play written and directed by Alan Bayley, Iain Campbell is Moonjava, a clueless 'psychic' (hippie love beads, Cali drawl) and Yvonne Waring plays fading Aussie soap star Aaliyah (peroxide wig, terminal case of blonde ambition).

While filming a pilot for cable, all does not go according to plan, because Aaliyah is hiding a dark secret and Moonjava - well let's just say he's a tool and leave it at that, wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. Waring and Campbell make a sizzling double act with a very stong supporting cast. Laughs are continuous and the plot, although a little 'out there' is compelling. Theatre company Practical Magic are small but they punch above their weight.