Bright Colours Only - Helix Space, Wed 24th March '04

As the queue moved slowly into the Space theatre in the Helix, patrons were confronted with a strange scene. All the seats had been blocked off by long white curtains hanging from the ceiling and at the entrance, an excessively hospitable Mrs Doyle-type lady excitedly shook hands with everyone who came in.

We walked into a typical irish living room, tv in the corner, sofas and armchair s; a tray full of glasses of whiskey, sandwiches and swiss roll cake. The centre-pi ece of the scene was a full-size coffin, containing we knew not what. Our hostess displayed boundless energy as she leapt about offering whiskey, tea, biscuits an d other assorted treats to audience members. Finally, she tore down the curtains and we were told to 'make ourselves at home'.

Pauline Goldsmith began her one-woman show ensuring we were all seated comfortably and well fed, then gave a sales pitch, explaining the interior of the coffin and the importance of embalming. The central idea that death is a part of life was dealt with in a very funny but often very thoughtful way. A few characters were brought in, such as the auntie who always told the same story and the grandmother who was forever dying on her bed.

The show finished with the audience procession following the coffin, carried by four men, out to the front door of the Helix, where a hearse waited to take it a way. As it drove away, our hostess bowed to impressed applause and then she chatted to those who were brave enough to approach her. A brilliants night's entertainme nt.