Jess thinks that life will be easier once they get Luke’s funeral out of the way. For one thing there are the after-effects of their recent breakup and for another he’s back from the dead and standing in the kitchen, which makes it difficult to grieve.
Not what he imagined, and she feels the need to establish some rules. They had agreed to call it quits on their relationship and just because he died doesn’t mean they will be getting back together. Exploring their love might allow them to move on.
How they did get together is shown in a flashback of them flirting at a party when a somewhat drunk Luke professes to being a writer. This is mainly at the thinking profound thoughts stage while being bored on a graduate scheme at a merchant bank.
In short passages we flick back and forward in time as they discuss careers, aspirations, living life, the afterlife, and the nagging anxiety of having wasted one’s youth by not fully spending it. There might be a measure of immortality in making a mark, but with the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Buddy Holly and Jane Austen all dying too soon might it be possible to miss the boat of being brilliantly young?
While Jess thinks that not having a body, a “meat sack” that requires constant cleaning and maintenance, might be preferable, Luke contends that ghosts have an awful quality of life – so much time with nothing to do.
Perhaps what’s required is a bucket list, things to do before you die, as you are here today and gone tomorrow.
This is a sharply written dark comedy, warmly engaging and well performed to create credible characters. While it’s not always easy to identify past and present events the overall structure keeps it interesting. Blackouts with sound clips of music, advertisements and films separate the numerous scenes effectively but can feel a little lengthy.
Perhaps not bucket list material but worth spending time on.
Show times: 12 to 24 (not 18) August 2024 at 11.05am (10am up to 17 August)
Tickets: £12 (£10)
Suitability: 14+ (Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, strong language/swearing).