4.48 Psychosis

Rating: Review

Company: Theatre by the River

Genre: Play-Drama

Venue: 11 - Red River College (Roblin Centre)

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Winnipeg's Theatre by the River tackles Sarah Kane's final play before her death by suicide in 1999. From the moment our unnamed protagonist begins speaking, we are transported inside a very troubled mind.

To watch this show is to bear witness to mental illness, up close and personal.

• Winnipeg Fringe 2017: read our reviews

Unleashing a frenetic tumble of words, Elizabeth Whitbread deftly swings between mania anddespondency. She makes direct, unflinching eye contact. She writhes on the floor. She rambles. She is anguished, hostile, hopeless. She mocks her doctors as "a room full of expressionless faces, staring blankly at my pain." (Or is she mocking us?) She begs: "Don't let this kill me."

The subject matter is enhanced by some very smart choices by director Kendra Jones, including the effective use of audio technology and an unconventional final moment.

To watch this show is to bear witness to mental illness, up close and personal.- Marlo Campbell

I'm not sure I enjoyed watching 4.48 Psychosisbut without a doubt, it's worth seeing.