How are you boo-ing? That’s the question behind this witty, character-filled play, penned by 18-year-old playwright Jaz Skingle and set in a counsellor’s office in the afterlife. Ghosts have troubles too, it seems – and when they need to talk them through, they go to Dr Soul. Played with relish by Trenetta Jones, the doctor may not be eternity’s most sympathetic therapist, but she’s surely one of the most entertaining.
Resplendent – like most of the cast – in ghostly white, Dr Soul is an ever-present and engaging host. Treating us as students, there to receive her wisdom, she invites us to listen in on her consultations with a series of troubled spirits. Each is performed as a witty character vignette by the rest of the cast: Emma Pallet is eerily convincing as a spectral child, clingy and tantruming in turn, while Charlie Vaughan is appropriately haunting as a poltergeist who has trouble expressing his feelings. Together with Ewan Purser as the doctor’s put-upon and largely-unseen assistant, it’s a strong and varied group of actors who all make the most of their cameos.
Alongside the vibrant characterisation, much of the early humour flows from wordplay. The procession of gentle puns is entertaining, but does grow a little one-note – so I welcomed the arrival of a sinister hooded spectre, which segues unexpectedly into the funniest character sketch of the whole play. From there, the pace accelerates towards a slapstick ending, a satisfying conclusion which the actors sold well. As with all the best surprises, the ground’s been prepared for it in earlier scenes – though perhaps it could have been even more effective if our anticipation for what ensues had been built up that little bit more.
I’d also have liked to see more world-building: an explanation of how this afterlife “works”, and the constraints that the departed spirits operate under. There were some poignant moments as freshly-minted ghosts strove to reconnect with their loved ones, and Dr Soul hints that crossing back into the real world isn’t as easy as it seems. That could go further; the script as it stands is funny and charming, but could reach the next level with a little more light and shade.
More than anything though, this is an impressive debut by a talented young playwright, who knows how to create memorable characters. And that baton is picked up in style, by an equally accomplished cast – so it’s not boos but cheers for the whole production.