The Cadaver Palaver– Summerhall, Anatomy Lecture Theatre

Clad in fine tweed and leather brogues, one man band, writer, director and performer Bennett Cooper Sullivan certainly looks and sounds the part of the Victorian gentleman adventurer. In this supremely well-crafted piece, narrated by a highly skilled storyteller, we follow our rakish raconteur as he travels from the bazaars of Afghanistan, via London to the foggy streets of 19^th Century Edinburgh.

As Egyptomania sweeps over the UK our hero becomes embroiled following the strange disappearance of a good friend with a pile of mummies hidden in his basement.

Sullivan manages an impressive turn of hand, foot and mouth along the way, bowling maidens as he goes. An impressive looping storyline has the audience leaning into this and willing our hero to get his man, and his woman!

But it’s all done in the best thigh slapping style.

The only shame is that in Sullivan’s slick speech the occasional word of this fine script is lost as it bounces around the hard surfaces of the Anatomy Lecture Theatre but given the clever site specific nature of this piece, that is a problem I’m willing to live with. About an acre of black velvet would make this even better, but hey, this is the Fringe, not Carnegie Hall!

10:15 Daily (Not 11^th or 18^th) – Till 25^th August

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-cadaver-palaver

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 4^th August 2025

North West End UK Rating:

Running time – 1hr