Customer Reviews:
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5
Recycle that, would see again
Recycle that, would see again
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Recycle that, would see again
“Recycle that, would see again”
I loved this show! Be prepared for a joyous yet thought provoking experience as Eileen shares her real life experience of doing what so many of us either think of doing or need to do - Loft Clearance is a metaphor for a journey back into the past and exploring what things we have collected over time actually mean to us. Eileen's funny and eclectic collection of items sends everyone off into a personal reverie of what we have in our lofts both real and imagined. Don't miss it!
Reviewed by declan f.
04 December 2024
Recycle that, would see again
“Recycle that, would see again”
Eileen's deeply personal yet lighthearted romp through the treasures in her loft is a mixture of fascinating, sad and hilarious, but also raises the anavoidable fact that one day, due to downsizing, death or old age, we all have to deal with the collections of 'meaningful stuff' that we (and our families) have carefully hung on to throughout one or more lifetimes. Eileen both entertains and addresses concerns that so many of us carry in some cobwebbed corner of our minds.
Reviewed by Walter H.
21 November 2024
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Reviewed by: Fringefeed
Review by Jacqui MacKenzie | 02 February 2025

Now let's get serious, but definitely not boring! 'Loft Clearance', a spoken word/theatrical performance by Eileen Mahony, was a highlight of FRINGE WORLD for me. For an hour, Eileen captivated the audience with her professional, polished performance. She commanded the small stage and made great use of sparse props and a large screen showing still and moving images. This, along with corresponding audio emanating from the powerful speakers, made the show full of life or animated.

This performance explored the mental prison we get stuck in deciding what to keep and what to discard when clearing out a space. In this case, a loft cramped with 100 years' worth of possessions. Eileen's loft wasn't just a collection of her own mementos but contained articles belonging to her father, grandfather, and uncle. She explained that in Sweden, folks have a 'death clearance.' That is, when Swedes turn 60, they clear out their loft so their families don't have to go through the arduous process.

However, Eileen being English, that didn’t happen. She took the audience on her journey (sometimes humorous) of discovering hidden treasures and what she did with them. 'To keep or not to keep,' simplified the more complicated process. If she decided not to keep the artifacts, where would they go? Some went to museums and collectors, others were sold on eBay.

The difference between hoarders and collectors was explored. Eileen explained that collectors have organised and systematic groups of belongings, whereas hoarders don’t. It also encompasses the impact your possessions have on you. Hoarding causes distress and impairment to the individual.

The audience followed Eileen's performance intently. At the end of the show, she said that clearing out her loft taught her 'the meaning of life.' This performance was deep and contemplative. If you think FRINGE WORLD = drag queens and toilet humour (which are great), this contains neither. It just goes to show that there is something for everyone in this year's FRINGE WORLD Festival. A top-notch production!