Fringe regular Chris Grace returns from the US to muse on death, posing such questions as can we enjoy life if we know how it ends? In less than an hour, he tells of the passing of four family members and his beloved partner. Unsurprisingly, it is no side splitter but amazingly Grace finds humour in his subject matter
He quickly forms a bond with the audience, likeable and smart
He quickly forms a bond with the audience, likeable and smart, his telling of his story is compelling. The youngest child in an American-Chinese family, Grace’s father stopped speaking to him because he was gay and an actor. Things were better with Mother and siblings.
It is a monologue which encompasses the heart-breaking account of Grace trying in vain to save his partner’s life and a hilarious sing-along for the audience of one of Rihanna’s hits to counter dark thoughts of death.
He likens the vanishing of loved ones to a game of Sardines when they all go into some dark place leaving him alone. Grace thoughtfully shows how he has processed much of his bereavement. Maybe it is best for people to die alone, he argues, rather than have the family all over them as life ebbs away.
Not really a comedy, more heartfelt beliefs delivered with emotional intelligence and some laughs.
