The names of Burke and Hare have become closely associated with the grave robbers of Edinburgh in the early 1800's to supply the anatomists need for bodies to dissect in the city but in fact, their tale is even more macabre as they have lured victims to their lodgings and murdered them. This new version by Tom Wentworth turns the grisly tale into a black comedy, a sort of cross between Horrible Histories and Sweeney Todd. He cleverly build the play around just three actors and has great fun creating business around the lack of cast members including calling for one member of the audience to join them to play a cadaver. Much of the humour derives from the theatricality of the presentation although occasionally the comedy is stretched too thin as when one actor has to play the entire extended family of another.
The success of the production derives from the high energy and talented cast and the simple but effective way they switch between characters. All three at various points play one of the victims, Ferguson with a wisp and a red coat. Katy Daghorn is excellent as a varied group of participants including Mrs Hare , Anatomist Dr Munro , Helen (Burkes fiancé ), Mary (another lodging guest) and the initial actor to play student Ferguson. She distinguishes each character with a simple costume change and varied accent, in a charming and engaging way. Her two colleagues are Alex Parry mainly as William Hare and the cripple Jim and Hayden Wood as William Burke and Dr Knox (who buys the bodies) with each also playing the various other victims. The height difference between Wood and Daghorn is also used to good effect.
