By Tova O'Brien
It's not every day fire and brimstone and the harvesting of human souls is lightly discussed over a Formica table, but a new play,
Goodnight - The End gives a behind-the-scenes glance at the life of a grim reaper.
Tempting fate, Wellington audiences have no qualms about laughing in the face of death.
"It's basically about a group of grim reapers sitting around in their office kitchenette between jobs," says director Andrew Foster.
And dealing with the day-to-day dynamics of life at the office.
"It's definitely about how we approach our lives really," says writer and actor Jo Randerson. "People often say that it's about death, but that's just really the concept and the framing for it - it's really actually about people trying to find a way to live."
Existential and philosophical aren't normally words used to describe having a good time, but
Goodnight - The End aims to be an exception to the rule.
"I really didn't want to make a piece that was heavy and dark because the only reason for me to wrestle with those questions is to come out again the other side with renewed vigour," says Randerson.
And not one to discriminate, death comes in all shapes and sizes, answering some of the big questions begging to be asked.
"I've got a two-year-old child at the moment and there's all that thing of you know, just constantly hanging out nappies and wiping up food stains all over the place, but of course you've got all these big questions banging around in the back of your head," says Randerson.
Goodnight - The End wraps up its three-week season at Downstage Theatre on October 3.
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