A play about death and therapy... and Death going to therapy.

Dandelions and Stones is a brand new play by Jessica McCarthy and local drag sensation Lady Aria Grey that explores our relationship with life and death through drag, comedy, song and the therapeutic process. Many people don't know what to say about death, but what if Death had something to say about us?

The embodiment of Death, collector of souls (who also happens to be a fabulous drag queen) decides to go to therapy in order to work through her feelings surrounding her job, her relationship with mankind, and her sense of self worth. Through the conversations between Death and her therapist, the audience are invited to explore the connections between life, death, and time, as well as see mortality from a completely different angle... that of Death herself. 

The play stars acclaimed actor Claire Watling as the therapist and features the debut of Lady Anjelica MacDeath, playing the Reaper herself and performing a new musical number by Godfrey Johnson.

Audience Responses

Captivating performance!

It was brilliant, in more ways than I have the words for. Script, acting, directing, costumes - AWEsome!!!

Fantastic writing!

Very comical show on a fairly dark subject…! Great entertainment….!

Our group thoroughly enjoyed the play. The writing and acting were both top- notch. The heat, however, was so nearly unbearable it was completely distracting. I have to assume something went wrong with the cooling system, but if not, for the love of god, please bump the thermostat down a few notches! We will definitely pass along our recommendations for Alexander’s Cafe to friends visiting next month. Cheers and keep up the great theater!

Everything good Théâtre should be. Entertaining, thought provoking, well acted, and challenging.

Loved Lady MacDeath - stunning costumes as well.

omg, this was so awesome and brilliant! myself and my friend loved this and think it should continue, maybe eventually to a bigger venue. well done and I loved the costumes!

Excellent, thought provoking, entertaining, very meaningful. Loved the show!

Was enjoyable. 'Therapist' appeared as if she forgot lines sometimes but uncertain whether she wanted to create impression of being lost of words/ in thought- pause perhaps too long in those instances.

We were blown away by the dandelions and grounded by the stones. This is an astounding piece of theatre and needs to be seen by a much wider audience. I salute the talents of the writing and acting and production team as we were both moved and entertained by this unique offering. WOW!

Jess has created a wonderful character: sassy, clever, narcissistic and funny. It is a brilliant and brave project, to combine death and satire and it works. This play should be seen by everyone!

Clair's performance was very good throughout the play , dear death was a bit shrill in the beginning but developed very well as the play went on

good script; thank you Jessica for the message it carries; wasn't convinced by some parts of the otherwise excellent performances or I'd have given 5/5

A high-end production, star quality

Clever text very well performed. Very engaging. Stylistic problems in the staging.

Well acted and thought proving. I enjoyed our evening to the Alexander. It is very like the shows we see in Edinburgh (our home town) during the Fringe Festival each year.

Such an intetesting subject. Really made one think about there own thoughts about death. Beautifully acted by Claire and Jessica. Loved the costume changes and Jessica's song. Highly recommend

Thought-provoking, and great acting, especially the therapist.

Brilliant!

I will likely now forever remember you Jess as Lady MacDeath, standing in front of us on a small darkened stage on a Tuesday night, likening the process of childlike innocence leaving a dying person’s body to that of dandelions coming apart in the wind. Thank you Jess & Aria, beautiful stuff well worth going to see.

What a way to start the year! This was thought-provoking and beautiful. Claire Watling is brilliant in this piece. Both Watling and Lady Aria Grey have inspired monologues in separate moments towards the end, which really is the work of a gifted writer. Jessica McCarthy has outdone herself. If I have a critique, it would be that there was a long runway before take off, but once on the taxiway, it really took off. Wonderful. Just wonderful work.

Beautiful! Loved every minute.

Loved loved loved this powerful production. What a script. The acting was superb. The costumes incredible. The direction wonderful. Very thought provoking.

Loved it

I love the atmosphere and the staff at the bar and restaurant are exceptional. My only constructive criticism is that the meals are very disappointing. We have only been twice and the first time we had the hamburgers. which were only just acceptable and this time I had the ciabatta with salami, ham,caramelized onion, olives etc. Unfortunately it was so vinegary that it was almost uneatable. We have now decided that we wont be eating there again, but will still definitely be attending your shows. i hope you find this useful. Kind regards, Dawn

Loved the show. Intelligent, witty, flamboyant, entertaining, deep, insightful and lasting. Actresses were outstanding. Loved the juxtapose. Venue. Delightful.

It was brilliant, in more ways than I have the words for. Script, acting, directing, costumes - AWEsome!!!

Acting good. Concept interesting but at my age nothing new. The play went on a little too long for my liking. Should have wrapped up 10 minutes earlier with more of a crescendo. It tailed off and was a bit flat towards the end. Still an enjoyable night at the theatre and lots of talent on that stage. Happy to see more, more, more!

The show is great. The Theatre is too hot and the air conditioning is ineffective. This mean we are all gasping for fresh air towards the end which is not fair to the performers nor the audience.Apart from the opening night I have been disappointed in the catering service. Could be a really fabulous experience.

Was very impressive. A novel way to deal with a subject that few of us like discussing. Was with a friend who had lost both his parents just a year ago so timely to visit. I have been of the opinion for many years that being able to 'talk with death' is a great way to enhance living so it was spot on for me. My friend was wondering whether the script for the play/performance has been made available as he would be very interested in obtaining a copy so that he could read it after having attended? Please let me know with whom I should contact about this. Many thanks. Derek Salter - tootingdel@aol.com. 082 693 3440

fantastic fantastic production. The actresses were fantastic, the script was brilliant. very smart. This needs to be shown everywhere around the world.

The show was absolutely beautiful! Funny and poignant. Loved it! Should definitely have a second run at some point.

A clever and thought-provoking play. The complex issues were perfectly acted-out by the two actors, who interacted beautifully throughout. Brilliant costuming too. The therapist spoke a little too softly at times (we sat at the back under a very noisy air-conditioner!). Thank you all concerned.

Script needs editing.

terrific. well written, well acted, well directed, fabulous costumes, a comedy with food for thought.

It was a bit facile and had expected more nuance and depth. It was entertaining however.

We laughed we cried. we were challenged deep in our souls....Thank you for this show. We loved every minute

Wonderful play! I enjoyed it a lot

The stage is one of the Art's most naked mediums and I easily take fright, but I was mesmerized by the performances and entranced and highly entertained and informed by the script. I would possibly have upped the decor a bit to match the character, but I realize you have a budget.CX

thoughtful, original, fun and poignant

This was a great idea for a show and a really interesting vehicle for exploring the concept of death and our hangups with it. It's always difficult with these heavy topics to walk the line between being overly ponderous and angst-ridden, and putting weighty ideas across in a lighthearted but accessible manner. I think they managed well but less-skilled actors may have made this feel a bit too self-indulgent. I was a little disappointed with the singing - sweet voice but not always 100% on pitch. Lovely evening out and well worth seeing!

i love it, i totally related to it and thought it was a topic we should all be quite open about as , like you said its part of life and we should embrace it, to enjoy our time NOW!

Not only was the dramatics and performances thoroughly entertaining, the content and story were deeply beautiful. Thank you for a wonderful show.

Loved every minute of this beautifully staged funny, sad, thought provoking, soul-stirring piece

1) The production was excellent, inspiring and wonderful. A brilliant and wacky concept combined with a cerebral & witty script, executed with passion. 2) When purchasing tickets I had a problem with your payment gateway. Service provider seemed to think that it was on your side. Eventually I used a different method to pay. 3) The air-conditioner in the theatre started making a noise part way through the performance. It needs some attention.

Can't get enough of this this kind of thing! I have been commissioned to film a special performance, but I'd still like to see it another time from the audience too!! There are many very valuable insights, worthy of long conversations into the night. A fresh take on the one unknown that we all face, that encourages us mere mortals to lighten up and make the most of our time alive!

The stage is one of the Art's most naked mediums and I easily take fright, but I was mesmerized by the performances and entranced and highly entertained and informed by the script. I would possibly have upped the decor a bit to match the character, but I realize you have a budget.CX