Someone’s ashes are stored unconventionally, which leads to a misunderstanding, so the said ashes end up somewhere they shouldn’t be – it’s the stuff of television situation comedies. The show doesn’t take itself too seriously, indulging in enough absurdism such that one could pick holes in the narrative all day. But to do so would be to miss out on both the humour of the play and some wider messages about different coping strategies being deployed in the face of a bereavement.
Sara (Florence Lace-Evans) isn’t expecting anyone to come over, so a doorbell ring catches her by surprise. Her front room, where all of the action takes place, is in a state of disarray – it isn’t, visually, but this being the Fringe, it’s best to go with the flow and accept Sara’s frantic activity as sufficiently evidence there’s a very hurried attempt at making the place look semi-presentable in double-quick time. The irony was not lost on a discerning audience at the performance I attended that the stage was considerably messier at the end of the show than it was at the beginning.
Saskia (Alexandra O’Neill) walks in and is ready and raring to go: apparently, ‘today’ has been in the planning for some time. Saskia’s partner Mark (Jonas Moore) means well and seems to be a ball of energy, providing much of the humour in the show, some of it rather physical. On one level, it’s easy to wonder why the conscientious Saskia sticks with someone so carefree – after all, you can’t choose your family, but you can choose your partner. The show covers familiar ground but does so with generous doses of hilarity and is a much-needed alternative to the many soul-bearing trauma shows out there. An energetic and unashamedly silly play.
Review by Chris Omaweng
Dysfunctional sisters Sara and Saskia are forced to confront the unpredictable stages of grief. Sara is living in denial, and Saskia is determined to celebrate the anniversary of their mother’s death with her quirky partner Mark and a party to die for. But when a jaw-dropping secret is revealed, things go from bad, to worse, to catastrophic.
Cast: Florence Lace-Evans, Alexandra O’Neill and Jonas Moore
Written by Florence Lace-Evans
Directed by Francesca Davies-Cáceres
Sound Designer/Composer – Sarah Spencer
Lighting Designer – Oliver McNally
YES, WE’RE RELATED
Underbelly Cowgate at the Edinburgh Fringe
31 July to 24 August 2025
