James Rushbrooke‘s play Before I’m Dead is a two-hander focusing on Zara Russell, a 17-year-old with a terminal brain tumour.
Staged in The Glitch and directed/designed by Oli Savage, this centres on Zara’s wish to record her own eulogy for broadcast on the radio, and therapist Stuart’s wish to make that happen.
Rushbrooke’s script tackles not just mortality, but memory, parental alienation, morality, bureaucracy, anger, and the therapeutic nature of writing and music.
It’s a lot to take in for a 70-minute runtime, but it does it well without being mawkish or sentimental. There is, of course, a sadness in Before I’m Dead, but it is bitingly funny, too, with good use of puppets and realistic dialogue.
Savage allows the actors to create a host of characters while never losing focus on the growing friendship between Zara and Stuart. Small moments are deeply felt, often without needing to speak. A closing song, written by Helen Cooper, offers a catharsis while remaining upbeat.
Young Zara, still classed as a child but fully aware of the moments she will never experience, is a fascinating character. A teenager with all those hormonal issues swirling around a body which is slowly failing her.
Myla Carmen brilliantly captures these contradictions while finding humour in her situation. At first physically tight with rage, they slowly becomes delicate, small, even scared.
Pete Ashmore is excellent as Stuart, a therapist who has been there for the premature passing of eight children so far. He is kind, thoughtful, and honest – all qualities that seem against workplace policies.
The two performances are very assured, although Carmen is hard to hear if you are seated behind them due to the audience placement (long single rows on each side with a majority central performance)
A play about death does not sound like a good night out, but when the writing is this good, you can come prepared to laugh and (perhaps) cry, and Before I’m Dead will deliver.
If you have seen Rosa Hesmondhalgh’s Madame Ovary, you will already know how these topics can be exquisitely handled. Illness must not be taboo, loss must not be shameful.
I’m giving this 4.5 stars.
Before I’m Dead is at The Glitch until 21 Jun (not Tues). Tickets here.
Photo credit: Phoebe Dyer
This review is dedicated to Liz Dyer.