An interrogation room and a camera are at centre stage, where a woman (Athena Stevens) with a disability is dragged, claiming to have had a vision of an impending catastrophe. The unsurprising problem is - no one believes her. Over the course of one night, a police officer (Ché Walker) questions her about her 'violence' in a bar and about the visions she is experiencing.
The evening unfolds and the tensions heighten; while we gain insight into the woman's job working surveillance drones on the underground and her visions of words above people's heads predicting their future diagnosis and injuries, the other police constable, Rookie (Ted Walliker) stands near embankment, where the woman warned him not to go. It leaves the audience questioning throughout the play: just how will the night end?
Diagnosis is a short, tension-filled thriller that explores what happens when truth threatens power. How sometimes it's easier to ignore someone, especially those who are considered vulnerable, rather than face the difficulty of what they're saying. It was written by Athena Stevens, who plays the disabled woman at the centre of the production; Stevens is an Olivier-nominated playwright and author, known for her bold, challenging work. Her talent shines through the main character she has created, and her performance was sharp and captivating.
What makes Diagnosis so compelling, too, is the set itself. The stage is designed by Juliette Demoulin as an interrogation room; there is a camera to the right of the stage, a screen at the back, and dark grey walls. The audience acts as the people in the observation room of an interrogation; Stevens and Walker direct themselves to us on multiple occasions, making us feel as if we are part of the investigation.
Lighting designer Mark Dymock has done an excellent job with the use of the bright interrogation lights that shone onto Stevens, adding layers of suspense, especially near the end when the room is darker and the lights are flickering. The layers of voice-overs and music, curated by sound designer Julian Starr, build more tension too and hone in on the truth she is so desperately trying to explain to the police officer.
While the plot is enjoyable and it's incredibly directed by Ché Walker, there could have been further development in the storyline and more information earlier on regarding the pub incident that could intersect with the visions. However, this play is just 60 minutes, so it must be noted that the story is well-done with the time they had.
Overall, Diagnosis is a thrilling, bold production that is filled with drama, suspense, and a strong message that demands our attention.
It is playing at Finborough Theatre until 7th June.
Review: Cara-Louise Scott-Lapish Photo: Alex Walton