The State of Grace production is one in a state of mourning. It’s in memoriam of Grace Bellevue: Australian sex worker/online personality who died in 2015. Described as Australia’s ‘best known sex worker’, in her lifetime Grace campaigned to decriminalise sex work and challenge the stigmas associated with being a call-girl.
Grace is brought to life through her own words. Her mother essentially commissioned the performance by writing to actress Michaela Burger and asking her to build a show in memory of her daughter. Grace’s years of writing, from monologues, to rap lyrics, come together to paint a picture of a beloved activist and friend.
The love for Grace is very evident in this production. The portrayal is flattering, spunky and full of life, and Michaela’s singing chops are not to be sniffed at. The rapping however, I would say is slightly less successful. I’d be surprised if it was an avenue the actress had explored before this, as her delivery of Grace’s lyrics isn’t exactly beat conscious.
As a whole, I find the show ever so slightly discombobulated. Each section is executed fine, I’m just not sure all the pieces fall together in the end as best they could. The performance coasts along, interspersed with facts and figures about why Grace’s work is still important, before suddenly it seems like we’re tight for time and the show’s over. It’s a shame because Grace is obviously a figure who is important to so many people, but I think the show still needs a bit of fine tuning to present her memory as poignantly as possible.
The State of Grace, Assembly Rooms, 19:05, until August 24.
