A new comedy show, titled Sh!t Theatre: Or What’s Left Of Us, is set to premiere at the Sydney Fringe Festival and later at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, inspired by the profound grief experienced by its creators following a tragic loss. The show was developed by the acclaimed performing duo of Rebecca Biscuit and Louise Mothersole, who channel their sorrow into a wild and poignant exploration of love and loss after the untimely death of playwright and director Adam Brace two years ago.
Brace passed away at just 43 years old due to complications from a stroke. For Biscuit, the grief was overwhelming, leaving her feeling as though life had lost its meaning. “You lose everything else,” she explained during a Zoom call from London. “I lost all fear. I used to be scared of flying; I’m no longer scared of flying. I lost all ambition. I didn’t care about Sh!t Theatre.” The emotional weight of Brace’s absence remains a constant presence in Biscuit’s life, especially when reflecting on his pride in their performances.
The duo found solace in the vibrant atmosphere of English folk clubs, where they participated in informal “singarounds.” These gatherings allowed them to sing freely, without the pressure of formal performances. “It was so joyful,” Biscuit recalled. “There was one time Louise literally burst into tears because she was so happy; the joy and the pain went hand in hand.”
Their experience at a well-known folk club in Leeds, which was later firebombed, also shaped the narrative of their new show. Biscuit describes the incident as darkly humorous, noting, “The idea someone would have a grudge against a folk club so big that they would firebomb it was pretty funny to us.”
The result of their creative process is Sh!t Theatre: Or What’s Left Of Us, a production that blends elements of comedy with deep emotional resonance. The show includes stories of their folk club experiences, a mushroom binge at a music festival, and an interactive post-show singaround, where audiences are invited to share their own stories of grief.
Mothersole shared that the show allows them to discuss their grief “beyond the point where it’s socially acceptable.” She emphasized that the post-show singing creates a space for audience members to express their own experiences, broadening the theme of connection in the face of loss. “It could be pop or rock,” she said, describing the variety of songs performed.
The Sydney Fringe Festival runs until September 30, 2023, featuring over 460 events at more than 80 venues across the city. Chief executive Patrick Kennedy highlighted the festival’s commitment to supporting local artists, noting that it returned $5.5 million to the creative community from approximately $9 million in revenue last year. “What the Fringe does is support local voices in local places,” Kennedy stated.
The festival includes a diverse array of performances, from the Ghana Road Show, celebrating West African culture, to Head First Acrobats’ circus comedy Elixir Revived. Tickets for the festival are affordably priced, averaging $22, making it accessible for a wide audience.
The Guardian
described Sh!t Theatre: Or What’s Left Of Us as “playful and starkly profound,” with a mix of brisk humour, boozy bonhomie, and stunning harmonies. Biscuit and Mothersole have been collaborating since their university days in East London, gaining recognition for their innovative works, which have tackled various subjects, including Dolly Parton and British expat culture.
The show will be staged at the New Theatre in Newtown during the Sydney Fringe from September 17-27, 2023, before moving to Trades Hall in Carlton for the Melbourne Fringe from October 1-4, 2023. For audiences looking to explore the intersection of grief and creativity, this production promises to be a compelling experience.
