Simon Ward reviews Fickle Eulogy at the Circle & Star Theatre

I first encountered Nikol Kollars’s solo show, directed by Javier Galitó-Cava, in August last year (The Long Goodbye). I found it deeply moving then, and, I am happy to report, a second viewing did not disappoint. The message of hope in the face of despair, and of finding solace in happy memories, rings out as loud and true as ever.

The setup remains the same, Kollars’s character, Ann, has one hour to prepare a eulogy for her mother Sue, just before the guests arrive. There is deep regret that Sue has died needlessly young – she was only 66 – because she fell down one of the many conspiracy theory-filled rabbit holes on the internet and refused to be vaccinated against the virus that killed her. But the feeling of pity for her delusion far outweighed the anger and bitterness. There is room, though for a satirical send-up of the MAGA anti-vaxxers – there is no pity for them, only horror at the damage that their ignorance can wreak. At heart this is a philosophical, reflective piece. As Sue is adamant that she did not want any funeral ceremony, it will be deemed a birthday party, celebrating her life. But how can all the contradictory pieces of a person’s life be slotted neatly together into a trite summary that will offend no-one?

Alexa remains Kollars’s sidekick throughout, amusingly policing her swearing and her deviation from the parameters which she has set. But that is part of the point – no life will fit neatly within any meaningful set of parameters. And it doesn’t need do. The joyful contradictions can be embraced, and joy taken in everything that has been left behind. It may not be helpful to say her mother ‘lives on in her heart’, but the memory of her Oreo cheesecake certainly will. As will the crazy construction site noises of all her kicthen applicances grinding away in unison. And the huge fake Christmas tree and magical lit-up houses. Nothing will ever be the same.

She finds comfort in the realisation that, although her time with her mother has been cut short, many people have even less time. Or worse, have no relationship with them, or a life-sappingly negative one. It is only because she and her mother have been close, though geographically distant, that she feels the loss so strongly. Grief is indeed the price we pay for love. There is a beautiful serenade for her mother in traditional Hawaiian fashion which feels like a kind of closure. I was moved to tears several times, not least at the final slideshow where we finally get to see with our own eyes the legendary cheesecake, Christmas tree and lit-up houses, and the family life which the whole show has ultimately been celebrating. Kollars has done a stunning job in translating all of her complex emotions around her mother’s death into a single, unforgettable hour.

Fickle Eulogy is running until Sunday 12th April at the Circle & Star Theatre, 28 Heath Street, London NW3 6TE