Review: Overshare (Greenwich Studio, Greenwich Theatre)

May 10

3 min read

Eleanor Hill is having a breakdown and streaming it online. Luckily, this time it is as part of a play which has been based on earlier lived experience of a mental health crisis, however as part of the audience you feel like you are a fly on the wall of someone’s bedroom as they are having a real life traumatic breakdown that is frankly quite relentless in its nature – an evil gift that keeps on giving some might say. There are moments of dark comedy, even more which induce cringing and wincing, and there are mad squirrels. The combination is gripping. At some point during the show it said this is 90% based in reality… whether this is accurate or not will only ever be known by the writer herself.

I wanted to see this play on the strength of the marketing via Instagram (@oversharetheplay). This has been so engaging and also made me very aware that what I would be seeing in the show would be an honest, raw and emotionally draining narrative … and indeed it was.

Having a breakdown is awful. But rising like a phoenix afterwards, not only creating first a play called Sad-Vents and now redeveloping that into Overshare, is admirable. Managing to secure two lots of Arts Council funding in order to do so has to be applauded before the show even starts.

The audience is actively encouraged to take photos, interact on Instagram and even video the show. I took my camera and I am so glad I did. (See my other photos on my Instagram if you wish.) I did not see other people taking as many photos as I did, but that might just be because being told I can take photos throughout a production is such a rare treat and I wanted to make the most of it.

The set is full of items that would be expected to be scattered around a messy bedroom – each incorporated into the show, and the performance is entirely to a phone, with the screen projected behind, so if you wanted to watch the entire show as if it was being streamed online you could. The background constantly changes and yet this all worked seamlessly. The squirrels I mentioned earlier keep popping up, digitally (as well as plush Squizz himself in the room). These created some good comedy moments. Despite the backdrop being very engaging though, I personally recommend watching the performance in the room itself as the energy, physicality and comedy in this were not to be missed. From hiding under the duvet or bed, to dancing, to imagining ripping out the heart of an ex, to drug abuse, and much more, it was intense. If you or someone you love have ever had a mental health crisis you may find it both familiar and incredibly hard to watch. One thing it is not, is forgettable.

As well as the perspective of a woman being mid-breakdown, the play addresses other people around her, including a violent ex, an arrest by police, the death of a parent and other subjects. No words are wasted in this 70 minute piece as you move from one insight to the next, and wonder just how far someone can spiral downwards.

A one woman show, but with a huge team in the background keeping things going, (unsurprisingly with the amount of tech, set and emotional investment that is clearly involved), this play is like no other I have seen and it’s one of those shows that will stick with me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overshare is showing at Greenwich Studio at Greenwich Theatre until 25th May.

Is it for me? The show information says 16+ and the advertised content warnings are: loud noises, flashing lights, suicide, drug abuse, self harm, bereavement, rape, depression, abuse, trauma, blood, cannibalism, porn, murder and anxiety. I’d personally also add fragrant language and infidelity, which may impact some. However, as the show information also states, remember this is a comedy!
As well as being able to take photos etc throughout, there is also a note to say if you want to leave and come back in this is also okay.