Afterwords (Greater Manchester Fringe Festival)

Venue: The Kings Arms
Where: Salford

This imaginative piece from local theatre company Organised Chaos is so well executed that you really believe that you are in heaven with time to loll around on a beach after choosing to be the age you were most happy in life.
 
It is seen through the eyes of Julie (Claire Haymes) who has taken her own life in order to be reunited with her long dead husband, Derek (Gary Horler).
 
She is escorted through the pearly gates by a jobsworth heavenly clerk dressed in a white suit played with amusement and genuine charm by Karl Greenwood.  He gives a charismatic performance but Haymes is equally sparkling with the most realistic facial expressions which speak a thousand words.
 
Heaven is not all it is made out to be in this well crafted play which is directed with panache. Along with the excellent writing, the five-strong cast each add a fresh perspective. Stirring stuff.
 
– Julia Taylor