Looking good in a fez, theatre and performance maker Victor Esses and his autobiographical show look back fondly at notable members of his family, principally his great-aunt Marcelle. Having converted from Judaism to Christianity as she moved from Lebanon to Italy, Marcelle’s existence inspired Esses to start making a documentary about her.

Clips from that uncompleted project are presented here in a largely spoken-word piece; Esses reads directly from notes while text appears on screens, although the blocking sometimes obscures them. There’s some technical tightening to be done, but it’s very clear that Esses is sincere in his admiration for his elders. 

A text conversation he displays seems to suggest some self-recrimination yet to be explored, but the show’s title is perhaps too dramatic for the assemblage of family memories compiled here. As a work in progress, it does feel like a compelling narrative is emerging, but there’s a bridgeable gap between what we hear and what Esses wants us to understand. 

The Death & Life Of All Of Us, Summerhall, until 27 August, 11.30am.