My first impression of Good Grief was a clown swaddled in a sheet in the throes of birth pangs. The "baby" and doctors appeared, reappeared and flailed about through a tear in flesh coloured fabric. It was the most traumatic depiction of birth I could imagine.
Although I wouldn't recommend these particular clowns for a kid's birthday party, there were so many genuinely funny and touching moments throughout this bizarre masterpiece that really caught me off guard.
Good Grief is a show that ultimately defies that lazy black and white definition of good or bad. It is a show that made me think and feel. I found myself thinking about it off and on over the next few days, and I think that's what good art is all about.
The show describes itself online as "A dying man's last wish: for his friends to create a show about death."
"Will it be subtle? Will it be sophisticated? Probably not, but it’s his funeral. Multi award-winning physical comedy company Ugly Bucket process the death of a friend in the only way they know how – through a kinetic maelstrom of outrageous clowning, personal testimony and a thumping techno soundtrack."
After the birth scene shocked everyone awake, the themes of death and grief began to take centre stage. Picture, if you will, a pantomimed journey through life, death and the grief of those left behind.
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The Ugly Bucket troupe from Liverpool brought the whole world of grief to life against the backdrop of a simple set and a handful of props and outfit changes. The show was packed with mini skits that carried the themes forward and a voice over featuring news excerpts and personal testimonies played over the clown madness.
As one of the clowns literally floated through the atmosphere of grief, two women in the audience left the theatre in tears as the show hit a nerve. You can't help but think of loss and the meaning of grief while watching this show.
Despite the absurdity and moments of madness - such as a zombie apocalypse scene set in a clown's intestines - I really felt touched. You can really tell the actors are pouring their heart and soul into the show.
To say I liked or didn't like Good Grief is to undermine the point. I think Good Grief is part healing journey, part avant garde, part tribute to those we've lost. It may not always be a comfortable show to watch, but it is a necessary one.
For tickets and information, visit the Good Grief Fringe website.
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