Riley awakens from a night of heavy drinking alongside Mark, who is slumped on the couch next to him. The small problem is… Mark is dead. 

Shortly after, Riley’s housemate and best friend Finn arrives home, and thus also becomes entangled in the predicament. Neither know how Mark’s lifeless body ended up on their couch, and both have very differing views on how to deal with the situation going forward. Things become more complicated when a robber breaks into their house, unaware of what she is walking into. A meddling, Himalayan salt lamp clutching neighbour senses something going on, and also inserts himself into the situation. 

By being faced with such a bizarre dilemma, Finn and Riley are forced to confront their own personal demons. The show, although a dark comedy, touches on deeper discussions about loss, and how different people cope with grief. The lifeless body of Mark serves as a literal symbol for how death will one day catch up to us all, and a reminder for us all that while we are all living, we should try and make the most of it. 

The storyline of the show became more complex and layered over time. The introduction of the other two characters of the robber and neighbour Clancy were fantastic additions and provided comic relief for some pretty dark subject matter. Overall, the acting in the show from all characters was good. Their line recall was spot on, and no one ever broke character. The highlight for me was the musical interlude where Finn and Riley were attempting to make light of their situation, and danced around their living room to Mozart’s Serenade No. 13, encouraging Mark to join in. 

The show is an enjoyable watch, and a clever piece of storytelling. Bring Out Your Dead is written by Ella Gamble and is brought to you by unBALANCED Productions.