Athena Stevens, actor, author and activist, is a former Playwright in Residence at the Finborough Theatre, where she returns with her new play, Diagnosis.
If you have seen her previous work (Schism, Scrounger) you will know she is a gifted writer and performer, bringing a sharp focus to how people with disabilities (Stevens has cerebral palsy) are treated in society.
Diagnosis is set about a decade into the future. She (Stevens) has been arrested following an assault and brought in for questioning by a rookie PC (Ted Walliker).
Stringent rules and regulations around ‘vulnerable people’ mean video recording, live transcribing on screen, and an audience of citizens must observe interrogations.
The set by Juliette Demoulin is very basic, white walls, an orange grill, strip lights, and a small computer screen offset on one side of the action. A live videographer captures Stevens’ testimony in close-up, often with duplication effects as Diagnosis heads into sci-fi territory.
‘She’ has something to tell the officer about an impending catastrophe, but he wants to get this case written up so he can head home for breakfast. The rookie is sent back on the beat, to be heard now and again through his radio.
It’s a world that doesn”t just patronise or disregard those with disabilities, but has also succumbed to climate changes, notably in the constant downpours and the rare sighting of a pair of urban foxes at Charing Cross.
The use of the audience as observers – don’t worry, there is no requirement to do anything other than pay attention – gives an added sense of something about to happen.
Director Ché Walker, who also plays the Officer, lets Stevens literally take centre stage in a deeply physical and emotional performance. However, the use of sound overlaps isn’t always helpful, and the live transcript may have been better utilised for accessibility where everyone could read it.
Diagnosis will make you think about the visibility of people with disabilities within a world that assumes certain factors equal normality. ‘She’ is seen as an inconvenience and a liability, although the Officer does show some understanding as the play progresses.
It’s a show that runs around an hour and could be stretched a little more, particularly to expand the Rookie character and what we know about him.
Worth a look. Four stars.
This world premiere of Diagnosis continues at Finborough Theatre until 7 Jun. Details here.
Image credit: Alex Walton