Words: Francis Wylde 

4 stars

Billed as a real-life ghost story, comedian Kirsty Mann tells the story of moving into a rundown house in East London with her husband, despite the slightly concerning fact that the previous owner died there. What follows is a series of increasingly unsettling occurrences that are difficult to explain away.

The spookiness is wonderfully understated. Clever use of lighting and sound creates an eerie atmosphere before some effective jump scares. But this is still a comedy, and Mann’s warmth and playful humour keep things from becoming too dark. Just as you start to feel uneasy, she’ll have you laughing again.

But what really carries this show is Mann’s skill as a storyteller. She’s captivating from the start, drawing you into the story with small details and brilliantly embodying its different characters. She gradually builds the tension until you’re anticipating every creak, noise and movement. There’s an authenticity to her style that, no matter how fantastical the events, keeps you believing. No mean feat for a ghost story!

At times, the show struggles to decide whether it wants to make you laugh or scream. While the humour stops things from getting too heavy, it can sometimes undercut the tension. There’s also an interesting conflict between Mann’s scientific background as a doctor and her belief in the supernatural that I think could have been explored further.

A fantastically gripping show. Funny, spooky and surprisingly poignant.

Kirsty Mann: Corpse
Red Lecture Theatre at Summerhall
6 – 30 August 
12:45