Bucket List tackles the sudden loss of an ex, and his unfortunate reappearance in ghostly form to repair their friendship. Though initially wooden, the actors warm into their roles, delivering realistic dialogue and motivations typical of a failed relationship. They successfully jest at death and the many ironies surrounding it, creating a humorous atmosphere. The narrative flow of the play mingles gracefully through different moments in their relationship up to and after Luke’s death, building tension toward his death and their fate. Though perhaps slightly anti-climatic, the circumstance behind his passing is hinted at subtly throughout the play, and a genuine sympathy is built for the characters.
There is an unfortunate lack of explanation as to why Luke is still in the earthly realm. Whether it is his spirit not moving on or Jess imagining him there as a part of her grief and healing process is not clear. There are also some inconsistencies in his abilities to interact with the living as Luke cannot eat a picnic but can write a bucket list with a pen and paper. This lends to later irritation when he incessantly laments over his boredom and the audience is left wondering why he doesn’t utilise the time to write his novel.
After an abrupt ending there is a lingering sense of incompletion and a rushed narrative. What is an interesting concept is not organised into a compelling tale and does slight injustice to the ability of the actors. Bucket List takes a stab at a Just Like Heaven adjacent narrative revolving around relationships in grief, but unfortunately it doesn’t quite fulfil its potential.
Bucket List is on at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, Theatre 3, Aug 14-17, 19-24
Buy tickets here.
Image provided by theSpace