A figure is on their back partly submerged in pink milky liquid, their hands, face and parts of their leather jacket are exposed above the liquid. The figure has short blond hair and fair skin, a pink light is covering the entire image.

Grief Lightning: A Satire In 78 Slides

Theatre and Physical Theatre • Comedy

South Australia • World Premiere

Part-theatre, part-standup, part-PowerPoint Presentation. One lecturer desperately tries to prove a popular 'Grease' fan theory: that Sandy drowns in the opening beach sequence and the rest of the film is her coma fantasy.

Over the course of 13 scenes, 78 slides, and a flood of custom animations, the lecture warps. Lost in a storm of conspiracy, the lecturer drags the audience down into a world of wigs, jackets, and surreal projection.

Through this postmodern journey through Reddit, film, and academia, 'Grief Lighting' explores ideas of gender, pop culture, and obsession. If 'Grease' is nothing more than a fantasy, is Sandy's narrative really the best we can hope for?

This work has been assisted by The Helpmann Academy and the SA Government through Carclew and The Adelaide Fringe.

Presented by: Paper Mouth Theatre & Wickedly Good Productions

Wickedly Good Productions is a multi-disciplinary arts company that’s all about stories. Stories of recovering alcoholics, women commended for their work, about people who give a damn about the environment, and they’re always going on about space rebellions. Based on Kaurna Land, Wickedly Good is behind the highly praised podcast ‘WHY AM I LIKE THIS?!’, and are always looking for the next story to tell.

Paper Mouth is an emerging company creating work in response to contemporary myths and rituals. Walking a taut line between theatre and live art, Paper Mouth picks, scratches, and gnaws at the literary canon. Previous works have been described as “Vital and enlightening”, “Risky and lively” (Stage Whispers) and “The most unique theatre experience that I’ve ever had” (On Dit Magazine).

Reviews & Fringefeed Reacts

Mary Angley is supreme in this work of surreal fan fiction, conspiracy theories, biting satire and powerpoint. - Kylie Maslen, InDaily
A captivating hour that reflects commitment to fandom culture in comedic glory. - Helen Karakulak, On The Record
Every now and again, a show tumbles out of Adelaide Fringe as the start of something much, much bigger. This is one of those shows. - Mark Wickett, Stage Whispers
I laughed so much that there was actual thigh-slapping. - Fleur Kilpatrick, School For Birds

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