Death Becomes Us is a touching memoir to Whittingham’s loved ones that transforms into a catalyst for conversations concerning mortality. Opening with a video full of hilarious death-related jokes and grim reapers, a mood is set for dark humour and quips that is not delivered throughout the rest of the show, establishing a misleading tone for the performance. Nevertheless, this eulogy-style show displays the many lyrical and tuneful talents of Whittingham as she serenades through songs reminiscent of her loved ones. Behind her songs there is a beautiful vulnerability exposed, and an openness to the topic of death that encourages contemplation.
Accompanied by a simple slideshow and a backing track, Whittingham methodically works through immortality and the question of grief’s purpose. There is a brutal honesty that accompanies her tales, encouraging a compelling sense of empathy and intimacy. Though perhaps slightly repetitive at times, her ponderance over whether one should get rid of grief if given the option opens a wider conversation of healing and acceptance for the inevitable in everyone’s life. Her final confessions and regrets are truly the most convincing moments of bringing ‘death into life’, moving herself and the audience to tears.
Death Becomes Us is a moving homage to Whittingham’s family and a beautiful moment for philosophical reflection amongst strangers.
Death Becomes Us is on at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, Stephenson Theatre, Aug 13-24.
Buy tickets here.
Image provided via theSpace Press Office