Ohio: A Celebration of Simply Being Alive ⭐⭐⭐⭐

When Abigail and Shaun Bengson step onto the stage, there’s an immediate sense that Ohio will be no ordinary performance. Described upfront as a “death concert,” the show is a deeply personal, genre-blending piece — part live gig, part intimate reflection — that navigates hearing loss, mortality, and love through music.

Presented by Francesca Moody Productions (of Fleabag and Baby Reindeer fame), Ohio is both bold and tender. At its core is Shaun’s progressive hearing loss caused by tinnitus — a haunting, irreversible condition that he poetically calls “the afterlife of an ear cell.” Through song and storytelling, he shares how he once had to place a hand on his chest just to feel himself breathe, unable to hear it.

Their use of sound and silence is astonishing. With just a guitar, a loop pedal, a lightbox, and minimal staging, the Bengsons transform the space into a vibrant emotional landscape. Subtitles projected behind them ripple and distort, allowing the audience to feel Shaun’s hearing as it slips away — not just hear about it. The design invites us into his world, making the experience immersive and deeply affecting.

Audience participation becomes part of the texture — we hum and echo melodies, layering harmonies like human loop pedals. It’s subtle, but powerful, building a collective soundscape that connects performers and spectators in real time.

Themes of life and loss are approached with disarming honesty and warmth. A song dedicated to Shaun’s childhood choir teacher, Mrs. Wean, becomes a quietly devastating tribute to the people who shape us. Even heavier questions — like what happens after death — are tackled with humour and grace, particularly through conversations with their young son.

The show’s real triumph lies in its raw, innovative use of sound to express what words cannot. It's unconventional, yes — but it’s also full of heart, wit, and wonder.

Ohio isn’t just a performance — it’s an invitation to be present. A celebration of sound, silence, and the fragile beauty of simply being alive.