An earnest portrayal of loss delivered with real heart that unfortunately struggles against a disjointed narrative and a hit-and-miss rhythmRating
Ok
Ann is trying to write a eulogy for her mother with the help of an Alexa and its ‘eulogy simulating software’. Her mother – who was in her 60s, and who refused vaccinations and masks believing Covid is a conspiracy – died after attending a large event at the height of the pandemic. This hour-long one-woman show explores the myriad and contradictory expressions of grief – from fond recollections to anger to humour.
Fickle Eulogy is a tribute to a much-loved mother. Nikol Kollars, the writer and performer, is engaging and honest in her portrayal of the grieving Ann. The concept of a fickle eulogy is an effective method of interrogating memories both positive and negative. Ann practices her celebration-of-life speech and, as she tries to describe her mother, introduces different characters or scenes which shed light on their relationship. She takes on these personas, adding a scarf or a hat, to act out scenes in their lives. Some of these interactions work; others jar. The donning of a hard hat to recount an anecdote about kitchen implements falls flat, for instance. Other stories, like the final text message sent to the mother in hospital, hit home. And this is the issue with the play. Its message of a loving life lost too soon is powerful, but the hit-and-miss rhythm of its storytelling lets it down, flitting disjointedly from one remembered moment to another.
The direction of the play by Javier Galitó-Cava has many merits. There is an effective use of a variety of lights which helps add interest to the staging. Kollars has an impressive singing voice which is used well but could be exploited further. A video screen projecting a text message onto the back wall adds visual interest. The use of the dispassionate computer voice of Alexa provides a contrast to the passions of Ann. The Alexa and its interaction with Ann is a neat device to move the play along but feels – excuse the pun – artificial. No Alexa programme responds with the level of interactivity this one does. At the same time, given the advancement of artificial intelligence and AI assistants, there is a sense that a more modern AI device could help unpack Ann’s character and emotional development better.
Ann feels her mother plays a part in her own death by believing internet untruths and buying into conspiracy theories. This forms a bitter nugget in the play where the daughter voices her anger and frustration at a life thrown away needlessly. This was the point where I wanted the play to dig deeper, both into what caused the mother to make the choices that she did, and the repercussions for her family. But this rolls out with the same emphasis as a story about a cheesecake’s secret ingredient.
The play lacks a real climax. There’s no marked peak to the anger or grief. And the ending, while visually arresting, is limp despite the deeply personal nature of the final moments. The slightly chaotic nature of the show means the production lacks the heft the subject matter deserves. The piece shifts around grief rather than faces it full on. But there is no doubt that this show is delivered with real heart and tackles a subject that resonates with many.
Written by Nikol Kollars
Directed by Javier Galitó-Cava
Assistant Director: Ricard Ritxi Olivé
Production Technician: Koa Salazar
Fickle Eulogy plays at the Circle & Star Theatre until Sunday 12 April
