A cabaret horror show where none of the acts have shown up. Host Tom Short has to stand in to tell scary stories, read fortunes, channel spirits and generally entertain the audience until the end of the show. Exploring themes of the occult, horror, politics, the cost of living and celebrity.

Unfortunately for him (and the audience), the stand in doesn't stand up to expectations!

The comedy isn't funny, the stories are too long with little or no conclusion, the magic tricks don't work and we're not even the tiniest bit scared unfortunately.

The setting, however, is perfect. We're in a dark, very warm vault, a perfect place to be horrified - if only this had been capitalised on...

With more planning and organisation, this could be a really great and funny show but it feels like we really do have a stand in that doesn't have a clue what they are doing.

Disappointing.    

* One star

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

The Stand-Up Horror Show plays in Just The Spare Room at Just the Tonic at The Caves at 3.40pm until 27 August.