ZOMBIES, vampires, the likes of Buffy and Twighlight – the modern-day craze for dark entertainment can have a disturbing effect.

And we're not talking about a teenager's sleepless nights as a result of a return of the living dead.

No, we're talking about how as a society we're choosing, at some level, to deny the fact that at some point in our lives we will no longer carry on living.

That's the concern of writer/performer Amanda Monfrooe, who is behind Oran Mor's play this week, The Great Disappointment of Santa Muerta.

"I'm sort of fascinated by the way we fictionalise our relationship with death," says Chicago-born Amanda.

"Were so into zombies, and spiritualists and the like and it seems we're getting further away from a real relationship with death."

Amanda's new play uses the Latin American icon Santa Muerta – the Saint of Death – as a vehicle to explore this notion in, "an unusual combination of puppetry and stand-up comedy."

It has been suggested the reason zombies and vampires have become so popular is because we don't actually want to attach a body tag to the toe of reality.

"That's true," she says, smiling.

"We don't want to think about death. But then the premise of the show is that in doing so we risk a great deal.

"It means we don't take the mortality of ourselves, or others, or the planet, seriously.

"In fact, we have the potential to kill it.

"This play is saying the cost of ignoring death in the widest sense could be our own lives."

Amanda adds, in lighter tone: "We all know human beings want to hide.

"It's natural young people make a life of their own. But we have to look at what we're doing in terms of consuming the world's resources.

"We have to think about our families and our heritage and what will in fact continue."

She breaks into a grin; "Look, it sounds a bit heavy but all of the themes explored in the play are comedic. It has to be funny in places for an audience to go with it."

If her promotional video is anything to go by, the play certainly doesn't lack lightness of touch, clever comedy and boldness.

Anyone who's prepared to have an on-stage conversation with a goldfish in a nightdress (Amanda is the one wearing the nightdress) has to be listened to.

And she answers the question of how did an American come to be in Glasgow on stage talking to goldfish by saying: "I chose Glasgow University because it has such a unique drama programme," she recalls.

"And I knew the city was small enough where I wouldn't get lost – but big enough where I could progress.

"And that's exactly what's happened. I've had to do waitressing to support myself but I've managed to achieve some real success."

The theatre journey – she has achieved a National Theatre of Scotland attachment – began with a spoken word evening, Love Club, at the Arches.

"I appeared regularly at the theatre, and at one point there was a theme Day of the Dead," she says. "Somehow, death is at the heart of every play I do.

"And I'd heard about the idea of Santa Muerte, this Catholic patron saint of the dead, and I thought it was really appealing but I wanted to use her to create a play, but make her funny.

"It's only emerged sincere I came to Glasgow, but it's important. I've now got support from Puppet Animation Scotland, a really great organisation.

"But I'm one of the few people using puppets and I guess it makes me stand out. "

The Santa Muerte idea began as a 15-minute performance piece which Amanda then developed it as part of one-woman show for Reveal (a season of new works from emerging artists theatre backed by NTS). A filmed version was shown to Oran Mor producer David MacLennan - who loved it.

However, the Oran Mor experience has meant a radical change for Amanda. She usually works alone, writing performing and directing her.

"I'm working with Graham Eatough and he's sharpened the piece and focused it. It's always been me before but not now. I've come to realise two heads are better than one," she added.

n The Great Disappointment of Santa Muerta, Oran Mor until Saturday, 1pm, ticket from £8.