Review: The Grim at Southwark Playhouse Borough

⭐⭐⭐ (Three Stars)

Following its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024, The Grim, written by Edmund Morris and directed by Ben Woodhall, brings its dark comedy to Southwark Playhouse Borough’s Little Theatre for a two-week run. The play introduces the audience to two undertakers, Shaun (played by Morris) and Robert (Louis Davidson), working in the East End of London in 1964 as they prepare the body of notorious murderer Jack “The Guillotine” Gallagher (Harry Carter) for burial. However, once Jack is on their table, they receive a massive shock when they realise he’s not quite as deceased as they had assumed.

Harry Carter as the murderous Jack delivers strong moments of both comedy and menace as he threatens and terrifies the two undertakers. Meanwhile, Morris (who also penned the witty script) and Davidson share a great onstage rapport, bickering over superstitions and beliefs. Shaun begins as a sceptic of the occult, while Robert is a believer who justifies this with the line, “I’m not superstitious, I’m Catholic.” Although all three actors show strong characterisation, the material itself provides little in the way of development or character arcs, leaving the story feeling somewhat unsatisfying.

The writing in The Grim provides several genuinely funny moments, but at times the play feels uncertain about whether it wants to lean more into comedy or genuinely aim to scare its audience. Trying to achieve both ultimately leaves each element feeling less effective than it could be. Additionally, aside from some uncomfortable and offensive language typical of the period, the play does not explore its 1960s setting in much depth, which feels like a missed opportunity.

Fergus Carver’s sound design adds atmosphere and enhances the play’s chilling moments. There is also some very effective lighting design from technician Joe Hawkings. Ali Day’s set design is simple but effective: a white-tiled wall at the rear and a steel mortuary table in the centre of the playing area, with the audience arranged on three sides around the thrust stage.

Overall, while The Grim features several standout moments - both comedic and dark - it doesn’t quite manage to strike the perfect balance. With a brief running time of one hour and fifteen minutes including an interval (which feels more like an interruption between two barely 30-minute acts), the play might benefit either from becoming a tighter one-act piece or from expanding to develop its themes and characters more fully.

The Grim runs at Southwark Playhouse Borough until 6th December 2025.

Photos by Molly Jackson-French