Rose Matafeo is Finally Dead is a funny, and at times rather morbid, stand-up comedy show. As we enter the theatre Paul Williams is playing pop songs on a tiny keyboard, and with the organ function turned on it creates the perfect atmosphere – sombre yet funny. Two photos of Matafeo hang either side of a coffin at the back of the small stage; a lectern is near the front. The audience sits on two sides and once the doors close Williams leaves the stage and joins the audience. After an audio introduction Matafeo makes a dynamic entrance to start her set.

Rose Matafeo is Finally Dead is very theatrical with costuming, a few props and something of a plot. You see we’re there to bear witness to Rose’s funeral plans: how she wants to go out when the time comes. With this giving something of a structure to the show, Matafeo entertains and endears us through the hour, often shooting off on wild tangents that make us think ‘how on earth did we get here?’ in the best way. 

Matafeo performs her set with incredible energy and great comic timing. We’re laughing from the top and keep on laughing all the way through. I must commend her for bringing humour to this taboo subject. I end up laughing at a few things that might have otherwise darkened my mood. Williams is adorable as he interjects a handful of times and remains in character when sitting with the audience. His deadpan humour is a great addition to the vivacious, intense energy of Matafeo.

About two-thirds of the way through the show the story of the funeral planning basically disappears and the ending feels confusing, like she’s not sure how to end it. A few things signposted early on are left without any payoff as well which leaves me feeling a tad disappointed, although not enough to dampen my enthusiasm for the piece as a whole.

Overall it is a great show and the rest of the audience and I thoroughly enjoy ourselves. Matafeo performs with incredible energy and skill, and is very funny when it comes to both self-deprecating and observational humour. She is definitely one to keep an eye on; I can’t wait to see what she does next. 

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We receive a program on entry and there is a guest book to sign. The mood is somber, unsure. A man behind me asks the girl next to me how she knew Rose. Is a woman actually crying? Oh nah, her eyeballs are just suffering after a particularly high note on the keyboard. Music is being played by a clearly-in-mourning Paul Williams. Has Rose actually died, Paul? Is this why opening night is so packed? Oh geez, if there’s something they haven’t told me… When I started reviewing, I made a promise to myself that I would Never. Review. Funerals. There’s a line, and to compare one funeral to another is just wrong. I’m feeling uncomfortable and this room is flipping freezing. Almost like a morgue.

Wait – someone is coming on stage. Meet Gail, the owner of the facilities. She politely reminds us about housekeeping. No alcohol, bathrooms are out by the bar (naturally), and please turn cell phones off (cue expletive). Her messaging is clear, and she is rocking that on-trend middle part like no other, which is why we let her get away with talking about her own personal grief before she pulls it back in to remind us that we are here for Rose. Let the funeral begin.

Hold on, hold on, ok this ‘funeral’ isn’t really a funeral after all – to my relief, Rose is alive and on stage about to reveal to us all her most intimate fears about death and dying, and also her wishes as to how the funeral procession should unravel if she were to pass too soon. One thing is for sure – a dance party would definitely need to be held in her honour. This girl can work it.

Rose is full of sarcastic wit and her direct off the cuff humour is well on form. This is definitely not due to her over-consuming the energy drink, which was, by the way, selfless enough to sponsor the funeral. How very modern. I bet they required a photo of the can to be Instagrammed live from the event. She’s a bit of a realist, and this show allows her to embody the selfish, but only human thoughts we have when we attend a funeral. And yes, those sandwiches are fit to feature in the ‘Magic Eye’ books we all read as children (what an illusion!). She forces us to face the uncomfortable possibility of dying before our time, and there are definitely life take-out from the show. I’ll never watch a stupid movie on a plane again.

Paul pops up from time to time like an annoying little brother who genuinely doesn’t know he’s annoying. Poor thing. It’s tough being laughed at when you’re just trying to help. Music is a big feature throughout, and thank goodness. I had no idea Rose could sing, dance and mash music so flawlessly. Should I be asked, I would feel confident speaking at her funeral after witnessing her ‘hump-the-casket’ move. That’s all the content I need. Humping caskets aside, Rose is a confident, relaxed and refreshingly cool performer whose facial nuances often speak louder than her words.

The production on this show is nailed. Simple, intriguing, clever and nothing unnecessary. I hope whoever built that coffin sleeps in it when the show wraps. The voice-over effects and musical incorporation are perfectly timed, which gives the performance, like a good Pantene conditioner, an overall sleekness and shine.

I know $25 is a bit steep for some of you, especially since we are hitting winter and you’ve gone and spent your cash on a new rain jacket that once again ‘promises to be waterproof’ – but you need to see this show. It’s the best comedy I’ve seen since the last one I went to.

But seriously, if Rose actually dies, you’ll feel really bad about it if you didn’t go. She’s probably feeling really anxious about that statement given her morbid nature. At least we know it’d be a fun-eral worth attending, and I’m sure she wouldn’t skimp on the sandwiches. 

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It’s a subject most of us have thought about at some point, albeit not necessarily to the degree to which Rose Matafeo has. Funeral playlists are usually the first things people think of, and it’s no different for Matafeo’s comedy festival show Finally Dead, in which she hosts her own funeral. It’s a great premise and allows for a wide range of material, because, ultimately, everything can be related back to death. The show, however, is anything but bleak. Matafeo has a set and costume designer (Christine Urquhart), lighting designer (Rachel Marlow), and even a musician (Paul Williams) – this bitch is going out in style.

Ranging from deadpan delivery to lively laughs, Matafeo is a true performer. There are song and dance numbers, guest appearances, and even a processional finale. [More]

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We are gathered here today in loving memory of Rose Matafeo. Rose was a Billy T Award winner, a star of the Jono and Ben at Ten show and a former Auckland Girls Grammar head girl. She leaves behind her cat Burt Bacharach, along with some very specific instructions for her funeral.   

Organist Paul Williams opens with sombre strains before Pastor Gail, who looks suspiciously like Rose but who is wearing a grey wig and a kaftan, gives a quick korero. The venue contains a pulpit, a coffin and nifty piece of neon rose art. The art is a little tacky but it’s obviously what Rose wanted.  

Pastor Gail disappears and then, surprise! Rose bursts out of her coffin. Plot twist: she’s not actually dead! She has instead combined her two favourite things – event management and attention – to bring us a pre-enactment of the funeral she wants to have when she really does pass away. She’s also wearing a sweet tux.  

As Rose explores her fears around death she gives an impression of Audrey Hepburn as a flatmate, tells us what she doesn’t want her last words to be and burns the long-suffering Paul with an imaginary joint. At one point she reprimands herself, saying, “You charged these people money to watch you have an hour-long panic attack?” But it’s this examination of the human condition in microcosm that makes the show so gripping – and amusing.  

Suddenly things take a darker turn. Or is that a lighter one? I can’t tell you much more without giving away the ending – so here are some random words. Tap dancing. Balloons. Demon jizz. Old Hollywood. You’re the one that I want.

Here are some other words. Hilarious. Original. A must-see.

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