The Grim
17 January 2025
Old Red Lion Theatre
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
The Grim recently had a short run at the Old Red Lion Theatre, and will hopefully return for more in London soon as it is a stunning ghost story that will delight every lover of dark, profound theatre.
London, 1964. Shaun, an undertaker in the East End, and his anxious and superstitious assistant Robert are already unsettled from recent happenings when the body of recently deceased murderer Jackie Gallagher arrives to be fitted for his coffin, and things quickly escalate.
The story is beautifully crafted, with well balanced characters and a plethora of plot twists that slowly get revealed throughout the 60 minute running time. The passive aggressive banter between Shaun and Robert make their work-relationship feel authentic, their characters fully rounded and developed. This production gets by with very simple means, a small stage draped in white tile with just a large metal table, an old phone, and a door. This stage dressing is used to fantastic effect, creating a clinical atmosphere as a playground for the story to unfold. A good story does not need much to be brought to life effectively.
Writer and actor Edmund Morris is not only convincing as impassive undertaker Shaun, he has also created a delicious script that is packed with wordplay and clever foreshadowing, building tension expertly while telling a dark story interwoven with a surprising amount of humour. The organic back and forth between Shaun and Rob is extremely well crafted and profoundly entertaining.
The Grim is a brilliant dark tale that unfolds a twisted tale with expert storytelling.
