Produced by Sh!t Theatre and Soho Theatre

Review by Jack Quinn

Summerhall Techcube 0: Tickets

Sh!t Theatre’s Or What’s Left of Us is a raw, captivating exploration of grief and resilience, cleverly wrapped in the duo’s signature blend of music, comedy, and storytelling. Rebecca Biscuit and Louise Mothersole, the dynamic force behind Sh!t Theatre, return to the Edinburgh Fringe with a show that feels both stripped back and richly layered, offering an experience that is as emotionally resonant as it is entertaining.

The premise is deceptively simple: two performers immerse themselves in the world of folk music after a period of personal turmoil. What unfolds, however, is far from ordinary. Drawing on their visit to a legendary Yorkshire folk club, the duo takes the audience on a journey through macabre traditional songs, bizarre festival anecdotes, and reflections on the meaning of community and loss. The folk tunes, beautifully harmonized, are both haunting and humorous, capturing the eerie charm of folk traditions while providing a vehicle for deeper, often unspoken emotions.

One of the most striking aspects of the show is its balance between light and dark. Sh!t Theatre has always excelled at mixing the absurd with the poignant, and Or What’s Left of Us is no exception. The performers’ costumes—evoking a medieval, folk-horror aesthetic—add to the surreal atmosphere, while their sharp wit and self-deprecating humour keep the audience engaged and laughing, even as the show delves into more sombre territory.
The heart of the show, however, lies in its subtle exploration of grief, particularly the recent loss of Adam Brace, the duo’s long-time director and Rebecca’s partner. Without making this the focal point, Biscuit and Mothersole weave their grief into the narrative with a deft touch, allowing the weight of their loss to be felt without overwhelming the performance. The final segment, where the performers confront their grief head-on, is both cathartic and profoundly moving, marking a powerful climax to an already impactful show.

Despite the heavy themes, Or What’s Left of Us ultimately carries a sense of hope and continuity. The duo’s inspiration from Japanese Kintsugi—a repeated motif in the show—suggests an embrace of imperfection and the possibility of healing, making something beautiful from broken parts. This, combined with their invitation for the audience to join them in a post-show sing-around, reinforces the communal spirit at the heart of their work, offering a warm, inclusive end to the evening.

In Or What’s Left of Us, Sh!t Theatre delivers a performance that is as much about survival as it is about mourning. It’s a testament to their unique ability to blend comedy, music, and raw emotion into something truly special. Whatever the future holds for Sh!t Theatre, this show confirms that their creative spirit remains as vital as ever.

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