About the play

4.48 Psychosis is a dramatic expression of an individual’s mind undergoing a psychotic breakdown. It is a thematic piece, closer to performance art than a literal plot, that portrays the many different shades of clinical depression: from bodily alienation to suicidal thoughts. Though dealing with an immensely difficult subject matter, the piece is often darkly comedic, and features a central figure who continually searches for ‘light’, even in their darkest moments. It is a vital piece of theatre – encouraging audiences not to dehumanise those undergoing struggle, and demonstrating the sacred nature of life.

Why this play

‘Sarah Kane is a writer I have adored for many years. Kane’s ability to express so much about the human condition in so few words makes her one of the greatest poets of our time. Every single sentence has a visceral impact on its audience.

4.48 Psychosis is the perfect play for Two Truths’ first offering. Its experimentation with form is radical, eradicating the premise of characters, scenes or locations – it is thus a completely unpredictable piece for audiences. Likewise, though mostly performed by an older cast, we are eager to explore how the themes of isolation, anguish and alienation land with a younger generation; a generation with which conversations around mental health feel more relevant than ever before.

This show encompasses everything we are about as a company: exploring under-discussed issues on stage, taking genuine theatrical risk to thrilling effect, and creating theatre that forces audiences to feel rather than remain passive.

We are so grateful to the Sarah Kane estate for granting us permission to stage this rarely-produced work. It feels incredibly special to produce Kane’s words – for the first time in 15 years – in the city that she attended University in. We hope to positively contribute to Kane’s dramatic legacy.’ James Hattan, director

Other FAQs

How can I get involved? We already have an extremely talented production team involved in this show, but very shortly we will be announcing open auditions for potential actors in the piece!

How will you ensure a safe rehearsal process when dealing with such sensitive content? Actor and creative team wellbeing is paramount to our practice. We are currently drafting a safe-space policy which will be guided by industry-standard models. We will also have a designated wellbeing lead on our production team, offering a listening ear away from the creative team of the show. We cannot create exciting work if our team does not feel comfortable!

When will tickets be on sale? Tickets will be on sale in the New Year. Until then – just keep your calendar clear in mid-February!

Will there be more ‘Two Truths’ shows? That’s certainly the plan! But let’s focus on one production at a time why don’t we…

Are you touring the world with this show? No, it’s just Bristol. I cannot make that clearer. Literally just Bristol. End of conversation. For now…