People in horror stories would probably fare better if they knew they were in horror stories. They go recklessly down into cellars or whatnot unaware of the doom that awaits them. But we know what kind of show we bought tickets to, and nothing builds tension like watching a character march blindly toward an axe to the face. Paul Smith plays on this beautifully. Jonnie starts with his hands tied behind his back, unaware that how he answers his captors' questions will either mean freedom or the grisly fate we, the audience, strongly suspect is upon him. Deliciously creepy stuff!

Like something out of an old Tales From the Crypt comic book, this is one twisted AF play from Paul Smith that would work oh so well on the stage. And a bonus for older actors with roles they could sink their teeth into, literally. The wonderful part of Paul's writing is that, although I saw where it was going (I'm twisted like that), the script throws in juuuuussst enough seeds of doubt in there to the point that I thought Ernest and Hilda just might connect with Jonnie on more than a gut level (see what I did there?)

OMG! Mrs. Lovett, eat your heart out! Hilda and Ernest are such a sweet couple. Tending to an intruder’s injuries. Preparing a lovely dinner. Yeah, about that dinner. Paul Smith mixes the politeness of the couple with a dash of tension. The perfect recipe!