REVIEW: The Wondrous Conveyance of Stella Estrella, Eight Souls At Least or Your Séance is Free at Etcetera Theatre Nov 2024

‘a captivating solo performance’ ★★★1/2 

Kylie Brady delivers a captivating solo performance in ‘The Wondrous Conveyance of Stella Estrella, Eight Souls At Least or Your Séance is Free’. With a rather lengthy title, this show offers a unique and playful exploration of life, death, and the chaotic in-between, anchored by Brady’s remarkable versatility.

The premise—a séance where Stella’s body is repeatedly “borrowed” by spirits—provides a clever framework that allows Brady to demonstrate her wide-ranging talents. From comedy to tragedy, singing, dancing, and physical movement, she transforms seamlessly between characters, embodying an elderly British mother, a foreign man, and even a cat. Her performance is both deft and entertaining, showcasing her immense skill. However, at times, this focus on versatility overshadows the narrative, making the play feel more like an acting showcase than a fully fleshed story.

Thematically, the play’s exploration of death through the comedic lens of a séance is intriguing. While there are glimpses into the lives of the spirits Stella channels, they often come across as caricatures rather than fully realised individuals. This is something that the creatives should be reminded about, because it does feel like quite often the emphasis was more about presentations rather than purpose. The most resonant moment for me was near the end, when Stella channels her sister’s soul—a character with far more emotional weight than the preceding spirits. This relationship feels like fertile ground for further development and deeper connection.

Unfortunately, my experience of the performance was impacted by an audience member seated behind me, whose loud hooting and laughter frequently disrupted my focus. It was loud to the extent to think that that person must be connected to the creatives. As someone who experiences forms of misophonia and prepares for unexpected noise by reading content warnings and wearing earplugs, I was unprepared for this occasion. Had I not been attending as a reviewer, I might have left due to the discomfort. While enthusiasm for the arts is commendable, I do want to reiterate that the true support of the show lies in truly paying attention to the performance. 

Despite these issues, ‘The Wondrous Conveyance of Stella Estrella’ is a well-crafted play with great potential. Its foundation could grow into something profoundly funny and deeply moving with further refinement. Kylie Brady’s immense talent shines throughout, and I look forward to seeing both the evolution of this show and the trajectory of her promising career.

Written by Hannah O’Reilly and Kylie Brady

Instagram: 

Actor: Kylie Brady @kylierae_b

Director: Hannah O’Reilly @hannahohreally