Take a pinch of gothic, add cabaret, dancing and animation and the result is more than a little bit ingenious. Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, by young theatre company 1927, avoids neat boxes and succeeds by being hugely entertaining.
Real actors have interacted with pre-recorded footage before but it has rarely been done so well. Suzanne Andrade and Esme Appleton deliver 10 short, sharp sketches accompanied by pianist Lillian Henley and animator Paul Barritt’s monochrome images.
Each piece is a cautionary tale for adults, delving into life’s dark side. The horror of being a neglected child, for instance, or in one memorable vignette, the dangers lurking deep in the woods. The clipped tones and wicked wit evoke thoughts of Hilaire Belloc directed by Tim Burton.
This is a show where cats die nine increasingly grisly deaths and sinister gingerbread men do battle as proceedings build to a winning crescendo. One warning: anyone who dislikes audience participation should avoid eye contact with the performers during one skit, otherwise they may be invited to go for a walk in those creepy woods.
Until 10 January (020 7223 2223, www.bac.org.uk).
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
Battersea Arts Centre
Lavender Hill, SW11 5TN
