An exquisite exploration of grief. This play has it all – do not miss!
Not a morning person? Well start becoming one because you will not want to miss this show. Our story begins with Charlie, a young man who is struggling to accept the loss of his mother and deal with the subsequent grief. He calls upon Death and a razor-tongued version of his Mother to help. But will he listen to them or get lost in a whirlpool of his own stubborn, egotistical self-denial and lose touch with reality.
Ben Blais is a linguistic genius, this dark-comedy is cut-throat, fluid and thought-provoking. The cast execute this script perfectly, allowing each and every nuance to be discovered and felt- together they have created something truly magnificent.
As Charlie, Griffyn Bellah is a nervous ticking time-bomb, he wriggles and bounces around the stage catching us off-guard with each new distracting thought while his mother withers away in bed. His performance is meticulous, relatable and extremely funny. Liv Hodder offers a beautiful contrast as the ‘former actress’ playing the Mother. She is blunt and sharp when holding the mirror up to Charlie, but soft and gentle in equal measure – Liv shared some unforgettable moments of authenticity. To complete our trio, please enter Death-draped in black and carrying his scythe Joseph Bellis walks out and delivers an engaging and incredibly dry portrayal of Death. “You should really lock your doors, anyone can just walk in.”
This soul-bearing, fast-paced, provocative play is an exquisite exploration of grief and the challenges we face when losing a loved one. Ben Blais, along with his cast have hit the jackpot- from writing to direction and performances on stage- I walked out with a sense of longing and the desire to call home. It is a beautiful homage to those we have lost and a reminder to see past ourselves and focus on those who need our help, especially when it matters most.
Dead Mom Play will be performing at The Space Theatre, Venue 9 on Niddry Street on the 10th of August at 9:20am and the 12th-17th at 9:40am.