Lorna Irvine reviews Etiquette of Grief.
Sometimes, a production rises or falls by when and where it is staged. Such is the case with Ellie Harrison's Etiquette Of Grief , a cunning and deceptively sweet-looking scrutiny of collective mourning with Princess Diana as its totem.
It's a dark little thing, drenched in irony and gallows humour. Harrison, an enthusiastic and engaging performer, involves members of the audience, forcing them to become “The Princess Diana Appreciation Society” with a broad smile and big hugs for everyone.
If this were on at, for example, Zoo Southside Edinburgh during the festival in August, it would work better. This is not at all a reflection on The Arches—it simply feels more like a summery Fringe show...a little incongruous on a cold Tuesday night in Glasgow.
Harrison selects people to aid her in making cucumber sandwiches (crusts cut off, of course), distribute port and create thank you cards. The gushing host occasionally runs off stage experiencing crying jags (after playing Billie Holiday's moribund ballad Gloomy Sunday)to the chagrin of her alter-ego 'Eleanor' on the screen behind her, with whom she converses.
'Eleanor', a prim, Queen-type in pink twin-set, pearls and white gloves, advises on how to manage grief, suggesting not losing it in public as it is not becoming in a lady—before killing herself in the most dainty way imaginable. It is both horrific and hilarious.
With more people to witness and participate in this black comedy, a 'Great British Wake...Off' if you will, Harrison's one-woman show would be a huge success.
Not a winter show, then, but nicely executed...as it were.
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