Do you believe in ghosts? How about a who-done-it and a coverup? Then, you will be intrigued by The Grim. It follows the story of Shaun and Robert, two undertakers who encounter spine-tingling supernatural encounters while preparing a deceased murderer's body for his coffin. Audiences beware—you will experience the jump-scare of the Fringe.
Audiences beware—you will experience the jump-scare of the Fringe
The suspenseful set-up of the first half of the show is entirely performance-driven, relying on the actors to plant curiosity and fright in the audience's minds. Shaun is our non-believer, while Robert is his prone-to-superstition friend and colleague. The ambivalence between these two brilliantly sets up the story, and their quick-witted back-and-forth syntax will have you laughing.
The second half introduces a third cast member: the accused murderer Jackie Gallagher, whose addition challenges the mood and direction of the play. The accused murderer's energy creates suspenseful electricity in the room. While he has a factual justification for his violence, he lacks the emotional heart to persuade the audience to join his cause.
Despite a well-crafted story, The Grim ends abruptly. It feels like the first half of a much longer play, with the ending rushing to display the relevance of the grim to the story. The last line: "I am the Grim!" leaves more questions than answers, even with the supernatural at work. However, the journey is a thrilling one, especially if you're a fan of ghosts and the paranormal. It's worth seeing for the cast's chemistry on stage.
