Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The saying is well known but unfortunately, in the case of parody, it’s often untrue. Far too often, comedy troupes try and fail to find the balance between familiarity and originality – either by taking their material so far away from its source that it’s almost unrecognizable, or at the other end of the spectrum, by barely trying to put their own spin on it. Given that ‘Titanic’ is one of the most well-known films (and disasters) of the last century, one might assume that ‘Death Ship 666!’ – which pays it more than a little homage – is going to be a repeat of everything you’ve seen before. If that’s the case, leave any worries about unoriginality at the door; the show is a breath of fresh air.
No homage to ‘Titanic’ would be complete without the obligatory old lady telling a tale, and that’s exactly what we get from Grandma (Rachel Parris), who’s bedtime story is less of a heroic epic and more a crazy flashback of various comedic horrors. We’re taken back to Death Ship 666, where her younger self (also named Grandma) is setting sail for the Bermuda Triangle. What ensues are a series of dastardly plots, a host of increasingly bizarre characters and a romantic tryst with the Architect (played by Mattias Penman). Oh, and bears. Lots of bears.
As a parody of 'Titanic' and similar disaster adventures, ‘Death Ship 666’ succeeds on every front – the writing treads the line between clever wit and downright silliness without putting a foot out of place. However, its real success comes with placing the gem of a script in the hands of six brilliant actors, who between them manage to portray over thirty different characters, sometimes more than one simultaneously – we’re not kidding!
Comparisons to West End success ‘The 39 Steps’ are well-earned; it’s not just the multi-roling that strikes a similar chord, but the way the cast switch seamlessly from role to role with an almost unwavering energy. There’s not a weak link amongst them, although the stand-outs for me were Rachel Parris as the highly-strung, swooning heroine, and Andy Utley, whose Captain and mad Electrician both had me in stitches.
If there’s one thing that ‘Death Ship 666!’ proves it’s that a genuinely good hour of comedy is as likely to engage its audience as it is to make them laugh. That was certainly the case in the Jermyn Street Theatre’s tiny auditorium, with every pair of eyes in the house remaining firmly glued on the stage throughout the show’s 60 minute running time. Its success at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer was evidently well-deserved, and its London run should receive the same acclaim – I was chortling throughout. It’s clever, pacey and the cast are on fire; but more importantly, it’s bloody good fun. Definitely one not to be missed.
*****
Isabel Dixon
