Maury Yestons Death Takes a Holiday, is the latest musical in Thom Southerlands hugely successful season, at The Charing Cross Theatre.
Seemingly genuinely perplexed as to why any man should fear him, Death decides to take a holiday and spend the weekend at the home of a wealthy Italian family. As the sight of the grim reaper may be too much for his hosts, he takes the form of (the recently demised) Prince Nikolai Sirki, a handsome Russian Prince.
Seeking to find out what it is like to live, Death inevitably falls in love with the daughter of the household, Grazia, and despite being engaged she, too, falls in love with the young prince. With only a weekend to experience life, Death faces the ultimate dilemma.
This is a sumptuous musical that is beautifully staged. The set by Morgan Large is a delight, which instantly transports us to the banks of Lake Garda in the summer of 1922. The costumes, by Jonathan Lipman, are striking and are perfect for the era.
The cast of Death Takes a Holiday, do a remarkable job. Grazia is played by Zoë Doana, while Chris Peluso tackles the tricky role of Death. He achieves it, and then some. When both actors perform together, especially in duets like “More and More”, something magical happens, the music just comes alive.
Ashley Stillburn, as Corrado, and Scarlett Courtney, as Daisy, also stand out for exceptional performances.
The score is a wonderful mix of melodies, which both intimates the horror of death and celebrates the wonder of living. Combining the two visually and musically makes for a thrilling combination.
Death Takes a Holiday is far from a depressing musical. There is more happiness than sadness and plenty of amusing nods to the absurdity of the situation.  Ultimately Death realises why he is feared, Grazia realises the importance of love and we all realise the passion we have for life.
Photos by Scott Rylander
