2017

Anatomy of a Suicide

Written by Alice Birch

Play Details

Context

Artistic Director
Vicky Featherstone

Dates Performed

Saturday 3rd June 2017
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs

Form

Beyond-linear narrative Episodic Over 8 cast Starting Point

Play Details

Synopsis

Alice grapples with the immense weight of her mental turmoil, a struggle that ripples through generations. The play opens with Alice in a stark hospital corridor, her wrists bandaged, a haunting testament to her latest suicide attempt. Her terse, fragmented dialogues with John reveal a life marred by despair. This raw exchange sets the stage for a harrowing exploration of mental illness, as her daughter Anna and granddaughter Bonnie navigate inherited trauma. Anna, equally troubled, mirrors her mother’s pain, while Bonnie, striving for normalcy, battles her own chaos. Their interconnected stories unfold in a non-linear narrative, capturing moments of intense emotional struggle and brief, poignant connections.