
When I told my housemates I was heading out to see 'Evil Dead: The Musical', their response was basically, "Wut?" To be fair, they’re not exactly theatre people. But I also had no clue what to expect... My favourite kind of show...
Ghostlight Theatre Co. has unleashed a blood-soaked, horror-comedy extravaganza with the Queensland premiere of 'Evil Dead: The Musical'. If you are expecting a night of serious, traditional theatre, think again. This show is chaotic, campy, and gloriously gory—a love letter to B-grade horror flicks and cult musical classics—and it absolutely delivers.
If you haven't seen the films based on Sam Raimi’s 1980s 'Evil Dead' series, don't worry, you can skip the popcorn and the couch (I did). The musical adaptation packs in all the essential stuff: a cabin in the woods, college kids making increasingly poor decisions, demonic possession, and enough fake blood to fill a bathtub. Directed by Yasmin Elahi and Benjamin Oxley, this immersive show takes place at the spook-tacular EvilCorp Horror Maze and Bar, where even the drinks menu is themed. Just remember to shield your drink when the blood starts spurting—sometimes from the actors' mouths!

The intimate venue holds about 30 brave souls, placing the audience so close to the action that the entire theatre becomes a splatter zone. (Pro tip: wear black or grab a poncho. Seriously, no seat is safe. It’s a bloodbath in Act Two!) The production team makes fantastic use of the limited space, with set designer Tamzen Hunter transforming the stage into a small-but-spooky cabin in the woods that feels like it’s closing in on you. The props, also by Hunter, are a brilliant collection of horror movie tropes, from the chained-up cellar stocked with creepy artefacts, to a suspicious moose head trophy on the wall that somehow manages to be both unnervingly creepy and absurdly comical. Oh, and in case you forgot you were in a possessed cabin, the walls have moving items, of course. Special effects designer Ali Morgan delivers a buffet of grotesque gory surprises. The attention to detail is excellent—the directors must’ve held countless production meetings to get every moment, splatter, and scream just right.

The cast fully commit to the madness and deliver performances that are fearless and ridiculously self-aware. Patrick ‘Az’ James shines as Ash, the reluctant hero with a chainsaw for a hand. His voice channels the same bravado as Brad in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', his vocals are to die for, and he nails the perfect blend of charm and bewilderment, using his expressive eyes to convey every emotion. When a prop went rogue, his improv skills were top-notch, making the whole thing even funnier and cranking up the parody factor to eleven.
Adam Goodall is delightfully obnoxious as Scotty, Ash’s slacker best friend, flaunting his killer vocals and comedic timing. I couldn't get enough of his tango-inspired duet with Ash after they first encounter a demon—'What the F*** Was That'—a perfectly reasonable reaction to being ambushed by their demonic friends.

Zara Lassey completely steals the show as Cheryl, Ash’s little sister who is the first to get possessed by demonic forces. Her transformation from a timid, scared sibling to a foul-mouthed demon is both hilarious and impressive. I can only imagine the toll her vocal cords must’ve taken after all the horror-movie screaming and gravelly demonic taunts; not to mention her hair getting bigger and crazier with each scene—talk about a hair-raising experience! But let's not overlook her beautiful voice—really shining in the brief yet mighty solo, 'It Won’t Let Us Leave,' and soaring above the rest in the final group ensemble numbers.
Isabel Kraemer nails the hilarious 'Housewares Employee' duet, perfectly capturing the absurdity of romanticising falling for someone you work with. Alongside Ash, the dance moves and chemistry are a riot, with impressive lifts that enhance the comedic brilliance. Isabel Kraemer as Linda and Julianne Clinch as Shelley put their all into 'Look Who’s Evil Now,' confronting Ash with both menace and absurdity. These two bring full energy—no holding back!


Ariel Franzmann, joining the plot late as Annie (from Evil Dead 2), is a standout of comedic timing and exaggerated antics. Her rendition of 'All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons' had the audience howling. No notes here—she was flawless! Skye Schultz as Ed delivers a charming performance, especially in the adorable 'Bit-Part Demon' number, where their stunning vocals animate a character who’s passive in both life and death. And, of course, we can’t forget the ever-reliable Jake, played by Oliver Catton. He's got that rough 'trucker' persona, complete with an epic solo and a stash of props that just keep appearing out of his costume—like a magician’s hanky, but for a demon-slaying trucker.

The score is packed with catchy numbers, kicking off with 'Cabin in the Woods'; an upbeat, fun-filled adventure that sets the stage for the chaos to come. I loved the tongue-in-cheek energy where both the audience and the actors knew what was coming, but the characters remained blissfully unaware of their impending doom. The ending of that number is stellar, with overlaid vocals as the five college students meander around the stage, each belting out their own tune like a musical game of Twister. Hats off to Musical Director Benjamin Oxley! The cast handles the demanding vocals and choreography with impressive stamina, particularly in the four final group numbers. 'Do the Necronomicon' kicks off the finale with crazy choreography, and the energy just keeps ramping up from there until 'Blew That B*tch Away.'

Tayla Simpson’s choreography is dynamic and high-energy, keeping the actors moving fluidly despite the ever-present puddles of fake blood. Michelle Radu’s fight choreography is particularly impressive, delivering moments that are chaotic yet well-executed—especially in the 'It’s Time' sequence. I was frantically ducking from blood spurts while trying to take in all the carnage unfolding before me. The directors, dressed in their pristine white outfits and seated in the front row for media night, walked out drenched in red—a perfect testament to their total commitment to the show’s messy, immersive nature.
The clever integration of costumes and practical effects elevates the production, with spurting blood tubes, severed limbs, and visual gags that keep the audience on edge. The costumes start as quintessential ‘80s-inspired spring break outfits that evolve (or should I say devolve) into shredded, blood-soaked chaos. Special mention to Annie's epic quick-change costume, the demonic masks, the long-fingered gloves, and hilarious tree costumes (you'll see). Shoutout to the lighting design too, which amps up the tension with eerie glows, strobe flashes, and dramatic spotlight moments that perfectly highlight all the blood-soaked chaos.

The audience was cackling throughout the show; although some of that laughter was definitely nervous—especially from those seated in the far-left front row near the cellar. If you easily get the heebie-jeebies, sit in the back. But honestly, this is a parody—so toughen up and embrace the madness!
'Evil Dead: The Musical' is a gutsy, hilarious, and thoroughly entertaining production that hits every mark. The fight choreography is exhausting to watch, the special effects are top-notch, and the cast’s energy never falters. Ghostlight Theatre Co. has thought of everything, creating a parody that lovingly pays homage to the horror genre without crossing into cringe territory. If you’re lucky enough to have snagged a ticket to this sold-out show, prepare to laugh, scream, and leave with splatters of fake blood. Brisbane has never seen anything quite like it.

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