Chainsaws. Show tunes. A talking moose head.
If that sounds like your idea of a good night at the theatre – congratulations, Evil Dead The Musical is about to become your new obsession.
Opening in Sydney later this month, this cult-classic-turned-musical is a gloriously unhinged mash-up of horror, comedy and full-throttle musical chaos. And if the cast is anything to go by, audiences are in for something bloody special.
So… why Evil Dead?
For many of the cast, the answer was immediate and enthusiastic.
“Horror movie + musical comedy? Say no more,” says Emma Wilby, who plays Cheryl – innocent little sister turned foul-mouthed Deadite icon. “It gives me permission to be completely unbearable onstage, which I love.”
That sense of joyful mayhem is echoed across the cast. Elaina Bianchi (Linda) admits she was sold on the show for the chance to be “silly onstage” with blood, gore and chainsaws thrown in as a bonus. Grace Alston, pulling double duty as Annie and Shelly, sums it up best: “A musical that combines bloody gore, guts and comedy? I couldn’t say no.”
Meet the heroes. (And the demons.)
At the centre of the madness is Ash, the chainsaw-wielding, one-liner-spouting horror hero played by Harley Dasey. Equal parts action hero, slapstick goofball and deeply earnest friend, Ash is the only one who doesn’t become a demon… but does have to fight them while singing.
“Who doesn’t want to shotgun/chainsaw demons seven shows a week?” Harley asks, reasonably.
Opposite him is Scott (Jake Ameduri), described lovingly as “an absolute douchebag” – a role Jake accepted with great enthusiasm. “It brings me great joy tormenting my coworkers onstage,” he says. “In a silly goofy way, of course.”
Elsewhere in the cabin:
- Emma’s Cheryl whiplashes between nervy human and unhinged Deadite diva.
- Elaina’s Linda flips from sweet and vulnerable to full demon glory.
- Oliver Clisdell’s Ed is mild-mannered, hapless, and very much not built for demon warfare.
- Harrison Riley’s Jake is… allegedly reliable. (You’ll have to see the show to confirm.)
- Matt Hourigan is tackling the swing role meaning he gets everyone’s worst night.
- Paloma Renouf makes her swing and Dance Captain debut, gleefully embracing the chaos.
Songs you’ll never forget (whether you want to or not)
This is not your standard musical theatre playlist.
Fan-favourite numbers include:
- “Do the Necronomicon” – a full-cast dance number that multiple cast members cite as their favourite (and a guaranteed audience meltdown)
- “What the Fk Was That?”** – described by Grace Alston as “hands-down my favourite”, thanks to the chemistry between Ash and Scott
- “I’m Not A Killer” – an Act One finale involving belting… and decapitation
- “Housewares Employee”, “Good Ol’ Reliable Jake”, and the deeply iconic “Bit-Part Demon”
There’s singing. There’s dancing. There’s screaming in harmony.
And then there’s… the blood.
Let’s talk about the splatter zone.
Yes, it’s real.
Yes, it’s a lot of blood.
No, it’s not Singin’ in the Rain.
“I fear that’s a LOT of blood,” says Oliver, who is deeply invested in finding out exactly how much. Elaina can’t wait to see audience reactions, especially from those seated front and centre. Emma describes the joy of watching Ash chainsaw demons while the splatter zone “cops the brunt of it”.
Consider yourself warned. And thrilled.
Final words from the cabin
When asked to describe their excitement in three words, the cast delivered:
- “So. Bloody. Excited.”
- “Potentially dangerously keen.”
- “Bloody f***ing stoked.”
- “Groovy, groovy, groooooovy.”
- “LET’S F***ING GO.”
- “Really. F***ing. Keen.”
- “Chaotic. Unhinged. Thrilled.”
Honestly? Same.
Evil Dead The Musical opens in Sydney later this month. Expect gore, laughs, outrageous performances, and a night at the theatre you’ll never forget – especially if you’re sitting in the splash zone.
Groovy.