52 Souls is an exploration into something that no-one really likes to talk about – death. It’s a fun and open look at human reactions to the inevitable. Using a pack of cards, a random series of individual scenes is generated to try and better understand our ignorance or obsession with this taboo subject.

It’s a one man show with an egg timer, a pack of cards, an impressive props table and an interesting concept. There are so many unanswered questions, so many things misunderstood or unknown about this subject and here we delve into its extremes.

With tales of a medical student’s prank gone wrong and the placebo effect, to London and the plague of 1665, a reading of a last will and testament, the controversial Body Worlds exhibition, being cryogenically frozen and Rwandan genocide from the point of view of a photographer, it really does cover everything.

Each scene is informative and portrayed well, and the notion of jumping in and out of them keeps it fresh and engaging. You’ll either feel intrigued or uncomfortable, but it will make you ask yourself questions …. are thoughts really dangerous? Can they be strong enough to cause death? How would I feel about having my brain frozen for future generations to use? Would I donate my body to science?

If you have an open mind and love to question things, you really do need to watch this show.

*** Three Stars.

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

52 Souls is available at Fringe Online.