My Mother's Funeral: The Show

Sadly and poignantly funny, this was a memorable performance, cleverly written and perfectly acted. My last show of this year’s fringe and such a great way to end this fabulous fest!! Thank you.

Just, thankyou.Off the top of the scale writing amd acting.Theatre doesn't get any better.

Beautifully written, expertly performed.

In My Mother's Funeral; The Show, Nicole Sawyerr plays Abigail, a Dagenham playwright struggling to earn enough money to pay for her Mum's funeral by writing plays of her choice. The other actors play a range of roles, with Samuel Armfield portraying both Abigail's brother Darren and the artistic director of her local theatre, and Debra Baker as her Mum. As the story progresses, it includes a play within a play, as Abigail reluctantly writes about her Mum's funeral in a cliched way in order to pay for it. The play is essentially a well observed black comedy, particularly concerning attitudes to the working class, including their place in the East End and the arts. The excellent performances lead to a moving conclusion in one of the best plays I have seen at the Fringe this year.

Loved it! Would highly recommend

A truly beautiful show about a subject that isn't discussed enough. Stunning performances, magnificent writing and a must-see at the Fringe this year.

I loved this show. Everyone in it, particularly Sawyerr, is wonderful - and their characterisation feels authentic throughout the piece. I loved the way the writing tugs at your heart-strings one minute, before suddenly subverting the moment with dialogue that has you laughing out loud. As a result I spent the whole hour with both tears in my eye and laughing. Also, as a playwright myself, I very much enjoyed the satirical swipe the show takes at those whose hoops we have to jump through to get our work put on (and Debra Baker's swishy-pretentious motion each time a creative meeting has been adjourned and she's leaving the stage was comedy gold). A definite highlight of the festival for me.

The direction for this show, being in the round, is exceptional. Excellent acting too! Really enjoyed this play and its reflections on how media powers want trauma and class portrayed for entertainment.

A brilliant piece of writing, very well acted. Best thing we have seen this year so far and one of the best we have ever seen. Very moving on one level with great satire, on the middle class approach to theatre, on another. Well worth your time and money.

By far the best play I’ve watched this year!
So well performed, written and emotive. It all comes together to be magic in a bottle that leaves you crying but with your heart extremely warmed. Highly recommend!

Far and away the best show we’ve seen so far this year - amazingly written and performed. Would have loved to give it a standing ovation at the end but I was so emotionally unwell that I had to sit. I mean this in the greatest of respects, this show was amazing but I never wanna see it ever again. 5/5 would recommend!

The best play I've seen at the Fringe this year. The story is compelling, the cast of three are all terrific and the staging/direction is flawless. This is is a gem of a show; a perfect piece of theatre. Bravo!

An all-round triumph: writing, acting and staging all superb. A hilarious and poignant commentary on class and the "authenticity" of art. See it now for bragging rights before it becomes the next big thing!

My group all agreed this is the best show we've seen at the fringe so far. Very funny and very clever, with a lot of heart behind it. Would strongly recommend

Brilliant writing, on so many levels, delivered through skilled direction and talented acting.