Evil Dead: The Musical, at Chapel Off Chapel - 2 hours, including interval

Add a series of compelling, up-tempo songs to the darkly comedic gore that has spawned a cult following, stir liberally and you have the makings of a hit musical.

As unlikely as this might sound, that – in a nutshell – is Evil Dead: The Musical.

We are talking savage trees, dismemberment and chainsaws, so “yes”, splatter horror with great music and no shortage of laughs.

And I assure you that a lively audience is really into it. 

Photos by Peter Stoop

Let’s step back a moment.

The starting point is The Evil Dead horror movie franchise created by Sam Raimi in 1981. Evil Dead II was released six years later.

They were noted for their low-budget effects, such as “monster-guts” and excessive amounts of fake blood.

This musical, which came off the back of that, capitalised on the live energy generated by a crowd. It began as an off-beat theatrical experiment in Toronto in 2003.

And so was born Evil Dead: The Musical – deliciously wicked theatre of the absurd, pushed to its ultimate limits, from a seasoned team not afraid to try something new.

The book and lyrics are by George Reinblatt, with music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris and Reinblatt. 

Think toe-tapping tunes, corny one-liners and mayhem, and you get the picture.

It debuted off Broadway in 2006 and this marks its Melbourne initiation, having been staged in Sydney recently.

The storyline revolves around the discovery of a book in a foreign language that disappeared in 1300 AD.

It served as a gateway to evil.

Now cut to the present day.

Five college kids – a guy and his girlfriend, the guy’s sister, his best mate and his best mate’s stupid new hook up – break into a cabin deep in the woods.

They hear noises coming from the basement, which is where they discover the book and a tape recording of its translation by a learned professor.

He apologises for having unleashed the demons and zombies that will see all but the hero summarily sliced and diced.

That is what greets the professor’s daughter, also a professor, when she and her boyfriend are helped by a local resident to reach the cabin.

They, too, are subsequently caught up in the blood fest.

If that isn’t bizarre enough, think monstrous trees and shrubbery, and a singing, dancing moose head on the wall.

Guffaws aplenty. You betcha!

Evil Dead The Musical is simply an outrageous hoot.

It is really silly, but oh so much fun. 

What really impressed me was the strength of the singing voices and the stage presence of the seven cast members, led by Harley Dasey.

I also speak of Grace Alston, Emma Wilby, Jake Emeduri, Elaina Bianchi, Oliver Clisdell and Harrison Riley.

Their vocalisation – rich, rounded notes – was uniformly outstanding.

All of them are young professionals at the top of their game.

Musical director and conductor Mark Bradley on keys leads an accomplished band that includes Darryl Barron on guitar and Mitch Thomas on drums.

Praise too for the sound design by Jacob Harwood and the mood setting lighting by Jason Bovaird.

The special effects, starting with the opening of and writing appearing on the blank pages of a large book centre stage, give Evil Dead: The Musical a decided lift.

That extends to unexpected “movements” within the cabin.

Set and prop design was the domain of Eric Luchen, who has done himself proud, as has Renata Beslik, with her costuming and prosthetics design.

The musical is very well choreographed and that includes topflight dance numbers by Lochlan Erard.

Director Daniel Stoddart has crafted a show of musical mastery and unapologetic blood lust that should surely resonate with those looking for a good time.

It is one that you are unlikely to forget in a hurry.

Note that where you sit will also have a bearing on your experience of Evil Dead: The Musical. 

If you select the front rows, you will be offered plastic ponchos to minimise the impact of fake blood that cascades into the audience (it washes off easily).

Otherwise, you can position yourself further back in the “safe” seats.

I was only a few rows back, so I copped a spray, but upon leaving I couldn’t help but notice how splattered those in front row were.

There they were – a sea of red, with massive smiles on their faces.

Evil Dead: The Musical is on at Chapel Off Chapel until 12^th April, 2026.