DIVA : Live From Hell!

Luke Bayer is reprising his role in this show and we can see why. He carries the story along at a pace and with great characterisation, playing five recognisable and relatable characters. He gives us his vulnerable, life-long and long-suffering friend Amy, forever cast in the role as his sidekick (or maybe punchbag is more accurate). He gives us New Yorker Evan Harris, the new boy in town who becomes Desmond’s archnemesis. Bayer’s frat-bro mannerisms are instantly recognisable from every stereotypical American High School movie and executed to perfection. He gives us Mr Dallas, the friendly, but firm drama teacher who’s always on a substitute contract. And he gives us Sarah, the imagined love of Desmond’s life – will he realise what everyone suspects, that he isn’t interested in girls at all? Given Desmond’s narcissistic tendencies, it is questionable whether he can love anyone but himself.

We know from the beginning that this story isn’t going to end well – Desmond is addressing us from hell, after all. What we don’t know and don’t really see coming, is how he gets there! The humour is edgy, sometimes cringy (in that we’re cringing for Desmond) and definitely grows towards the dark side. Throughout all this, as a testament to Bayer’s skill, we can’t help but like the character despite knowing what a monster he is.