How You Died

Directed by Ellie Jay Stevens, “How You Died” is a dramedy about grief that spirals into a gripping thriller😵‍💫 This two-hander imagines a near future where 3D hologram versions of departed loved ones can be summoned for 1-0-1 sessions. SHE has been dead for ten years. HE brings her back to help soothe his grief. When these childhood friends reunite, the conversation unearths some unsettling secrets…

☠️The intriguing: Edith Keays weaves a well-crafted plot that takes us by the hand as we slowly unravel the power dynamics of the encounter. Are the deceased off the hook & safe in a what’s-done-is-done ethos? Or are those who are still alive the ones in charge, keeping the memories of those gone hostage? The characters undergo a solid arc, adding depth & a bit of #OMG factor to this #BFF reunion…

🤩The cinematic: Flashbacks to showcase the duo’s good ol’ days enrich their interaction. These glimpses, portrayed in a silent, mime-like fashion, inject dynamism into what could’ve easily become a dialogue-heavy story. Accompanied by feel-good tunes & warm lighting, these flashbacks spark life into the narrative. And to double-down, Hugo Dodsworth’s minimalistic yet effective design gives the old attic-like stage at the Old Red Lion Theatre a sci-fi vibe. While vintage orange shades set the tone for the past, stark lighting yanks us back to the present…

😯The feels: Tom Gould-Scott & Lois Baglin’s grounded performances breathe life into their characters. The on-stage chemistry deserves an A+. Their low-key naturalism adds an authentic touch to their portrayals: SHE, lively & bold; HE, cool & collected. With moments of light-hearted mime to heart-stopping dramatic showdowns, their performances play our emotions like a well-tuned fiddle…

In all, “How You Died” navigates the ethical dilemmas around bringing back the dead (we’ve promised our editor we’ll stop using #BlackMirror as an adjective). The piece takes a universal theme & tackles it with a mind-boggling twist. One thing’s for sure: you’ll never look at #ABBAVoyage the same way again. (We made no promises about #ABBA). 4/5🌟