Loft Luggage

Eileen Mahony ponders life through the process of cleaning out her attic, as in her loft clearance. Her second show Loft luggage finds her at the railway station with six boxes but she can only Take one. Her first box contains a teddy bear, and from there the boxes reflect her gradual maturity where growing, exploring, seeking, securing have their place. When you're working life ends, what do you bring with you? A question for all of us over 60, her dilemma is universal. But which box does she really take. Beautifully performed, gently thought provoking leaves the audience more clear sighted.

Eileen has a lovely voice and gentle way about her, she definitely captured me at first. However, I feel she would have created a better show if she had been a character and used her life as a basis for the tale rather that the factual story which felt a little flat and boring by the end. The train metaphors on life were insightful but didn’t really lead anywhere. Has potential.

This is a relaxing show that makes you think about what you value in your life. Whilst the show discusses retirement, it has lots in it for everyone at any stage of life. Poetic and thought provoking.

Life after work was very much on my mind, watching this reflective piece about choices made at any stage of your life. We enjoyed this thoughtful and entertaining dip into some of Eileen's own choices, indicating an interesting life, well-lived. Recommended!

Eileen is a masterful story-teller and keeps you closely by her side as she reminisces and reflects on her life's journey. In a hectic world, where we are often carried away on the rollercoaster of work and earning money, with little time to reflect on what / who really matters, this is an opportunity to let time stand still for a while and think: there are pauses in the show to catch our breath and reflect. The universal theme of 'life's journey' resonates with everyone and offers an opportunity to reconsider our often unquestioned assumptions. These thoughts will last long after this lovely show has ended. Highly recommended!

Loft Luggage will linger in my mind for a long time. The performer transported the audience through a tapestry of past experiences while seated at a railway station, waiting for a train to begin her retirement journey. With her she carried mementos of the sections of her life.

As I watched I tried to think about what items I would take to represent similar segments of my life. Perhaps this is a function of my own impending retirement. It’s not entirely comfortable to review one’s own life but I was greatly assisted by this masterful exploration of a life fully lived and honestly described.

Having seen and loved ‘Loft Clearance’, Eileen’s second show ‘Loft Luggage’ was going to be an essential watch. It did not disappoint. This show has the same humorous, yet moving style but tackles the subsequent question, once you have cleared the loft, what next? Do the left over belongings show us something about what is important in life? This show is a must see for anyone who has already seen Loft Clearance, but is also a fascinating and touching show if it’s the only one of Eileen’s productions you see.

So enjoyed this show. Loved the references to number 6, the stage setting, the Talking Heads and the way the whole thing made me think about my own life journey. Really thought provoking and entertaining, at the same time.

I hate leaving negative reviews, but i foubmnd this underwhelming. The show seemed to depend heavily on serving up wisdom and philosophical insights about the different stages of life, but the ideas raised felt simplistic and platitudinous ("life is a journey, with many stops"), so much so that it began to feel rather patronising, as though it was assumed that audience members couldn't have already reflected upon these issues with at least as much depth as was showcased here. At the same time, the show lacked humour or any real story.

Went into this show with high expectations but the performance left me wanting. It felt ambling and a bit directionless. It's clear the writer/performer has an interesting life but would have like to hear more about it.

Absolutely loved this show! Thought provoking, reflective, really makes you think about the labels we put on ourselves. Eileen’s had a very interesting life so far - there’s a book in there somewhere!

This performance really made me think and ask myself questions, the answers have triggered many happy thoughts over the weeks since I saw the show in London. I’m looking forward to seeing it again.

We saw the preview of this and it was very thought provoking. If you are thinking about retirement whether now or some way down the road, this will really get you thinking and examining your own life choices

Eileen’s show ‘Loft Luggage’ will make you examine your life and think about what entails a ‘life well-lived’ and what is important in our accumulation of ‘stuff.’ She is a relaxed narrator, and the intimate performance is like sitting comfortably in her front room. A very enjoyable evening - don’t miss it!

This is a great show . Very thought-provoking yet light .Exactly the right length to capture attention and interest. How many of us have accumulated ‘stuff’ over the years and know we must do a clear out - yet cannot make a start. This might remind you of the positive aspects of revisiting the origins of many of the items.
There is a sister- show : Loft Clearance which I saw last year. Very well done & entertaining. Definitely worth a visit.

I was lucky enough to see a preview of this show in London. As a follow up to Loft Clearance (also on at the Fringe) it is just as delightful and insightful!
Full of fun stories from Eileen's colourful life and a collection of memorabilia of the adventures she has been on, this journey through the stages of life invites you to reflect alongside our main character.
I really recommend seeing this show along with part one 'Loft Clearance', it would make the perfect double bill for a day at the Fringe.

I saw the preview of this show in London. It was utterly enthralling and so clever. I laughed, I was moved, I teared up. Eileen captivated from start to finish. The soundscape really added to the atmosphere and the experience. I wish I was up in Edinburgh so that I could make a return visit and see her other show Loft Clearance. I went thinking it wouldn’t be my kind of thing whilst not really knowing what to expect and left with tears in my eyes. This show leaves you with lots to think about and I still think about it now! 5 Stars from me (and my mum who came with me)