★★★☆☆
Outpatient, written and performed by Harriet Madeley, is an unflinchingly bold exploration of mortality, our collective discomfort with death, and the existential shifts that accompany the awareness of life’s fleeting nature.
The play begins with a striking admission by the protagonist: death, though an inescapable part of life, is a subject we routinely avoid. This metaphorical elephant in the room, we are told, stems from the loss of proper mourning rituals that once allowed us to process and confront death as an inevitable passage. In today’s world, we are left in the dark about the when, how, and why, unable to navigate the discomfort of its mystery.
The protagonist contrasts contemporary society’s avoidance of death with Victorian times, when death was omnipresent and death rituals were a public affair, while sex remained a taboo subject. Today, the roles have reversed. As a result, death, once a fixture of public discourse, has been replaced by a pervasive fascination with zombies and apocalyptic imagery—an unsettling reflection of our cultural unease about mortality.
This theme sets the stage for the play’s central narrative: Olive grappling with the knowledge that her time on earth is limited. The story traces the profound shift in her perspective on life, forcing her to reconsider her values, priorities, and understanding of what truly matters as time slips away. As we accompany Olive through this journey, we are invited to examine our own relationships with mortality and how the looming specter of death might impact the way we live.
At the heart of Outpatient lies an astonishing performance by Harriet Madeley, whose portrayal of the protagonist is a masterclass in one-person theatre. Her ability to navigate the complex emotional terrain of the character is nothing short of brilliant. Madeley infuses the performance with raw energy, vulnerability, and a palpable sense of urgency, keeping the audience transfixed as she brings depth and humanity to the central narrative.
The direction by Moore is equally commendable, guiding the performance with a subtle yet powerful hand, allowing the audience to feel both the intensity and the quiet moments of introspection. The partnership between Madeley and Moore results in a seamless integration of the thematic elements with the character’s emotional arc, making the play as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally gripping.
However, despite the exceptional performance, the stage design feels somewhat lacking in its potential to fully complement the narrative. The minimalist set consists of a treadmill, an exercise ball, a Tesco bag, and, at one point, a microphone—elements that, while functional, do not offer much in the way of visual intrigue.
While minimalism can undoubtedly encourage the audience to focus on the performance itself, the sparse set sometimes detracts from the overall aesthetic experience. In this case, a few more props or a slight change of costumes could have enhanced and enriched the mood without drawing attention away from the central message. Budget constraints are certainly a reality for smaller productions, but even small adjustments could have provided an extra layer of depth to the play’s visual appeal.
That said, the lighting and projection design by Megan Lucas are worth noting. Through subtle lighting changes and projections, Lucas adds texture to the atmosphere, evoking shifts in time and space that mirror the protagonist’s evolving emotional state. The sound design by Bella Kear complements this beautifully, with carefully crafted soundscapes that underscore key moments, reinforcing the tension and the quiet emotional beats of the performance.
The production is produced by Crowded Room (Mark Knightley and Harriet Madeley) in association with Reading Rep Theatre. Their collective efforts bring this thought-provoking exploration of life, death, and the nature of time to life in an impactful way.
Despite some visual shortcomings, Outpatient is a captivating piece of theatre that’s bound to leave a lasting impression. The themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of existence are explored in an emotionally resonant way, making the production both intellectually engaging and deeply moving. The powerhouse performance and the careful attention to sound and lighting design make this a memorable theatre experience.
If you are looking for a play that encourages deep reflection and challenges your perceptions of death, Outpatient is not to be missed.
Photo: Harry Elletson
JADAR 