Are they really going to make a habit of this? Get on your knees and say your prayers: another killer comedy in the Death Drop series has descended upon Manchester.
Long-serving man of the cloth, Father Alfie Romeo (LoUis CYfer) has been told about strange goings-ons at the St Babs convent. He goes to meet the flock of eccentric nuns, but his holy presence doesn’t necessarily guarantee their safety from ungodly fates.
There is a Holly Stars-shaped hole in this sequel, both on-stage and in the script; she established the original Death Drop as an uproarious, Northern powerhouse of a play. With frequent references to ‘The Great British Bake Off’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’, it seems that Rob Evans’ writing is instead intended to appeal to a much more mainstream audience. That being said, the gags that feature have the audience cackling regularly.
The cast ought to repent for the number of times they broke the fourth wall. While it did achieve many pay-offs, this along with the characters’ repeated acknowledgements of being in a performance resulted in two overdone metatheatrical devices. There was, however, plenty of fresh ‘Goes-Wrong’-style visual humour, enabled by Peter Mckintosh’s vast, castle-like set.
During the first half, Jujubee amuses as the ditzy (and thirsty) Sister Maria JulieAndrews- their skittish stage presence and constant desire to sing brings about plenty of laughs. Victoria Scone, meanwhile, adeptly heads the convent as the seemingly strait-laced Mother Superior. Her ability to spout silly and often sarcastic lines while maintaining a deadpan expression and tone throughout makes her deliveries even funnier.
LoUis CYfer gives a comically compelling performance as Father Alfie, and chaotic behaviour from the nun-sensical Cheryl Hole and Kitty Scott-Claus (playing Sister Mary Berry and Sis Titis, respectively) is so entertaining, it’s probably sinful. The splicing of drag queens and horror allows for more catty Drag Race retorts than you can throw a jug of Holy water at, as well as nods to classic scary films from ‘Alien’ to ‘The Shining’.
Creative lighting by Rory Beaton sets the scene and further heightens some of the physical comedy.
‘Back in the Habit’ is here to stay, pray and slay!
Death Drop: Back in the Habit continues at the Opera House in Manchester until the 12th March with tickets available from https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/death-drop-back-in-the-habit/opera-house-manchester/
Reviewer: Scot Cunningham
Reviewed: 9th March 2023
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★