Written and directed by Lee James Broadwood and performed by Penny Tomai, SHE depicts the final nights of a woman planning to take her life, presenting the frequently censored themes of suicide, emotional abuse, body dysmorphia, sexual violence and child loss. The play creates an environment that typifies the dangerous romanticisation of self-neglect, self-harm and death, regularly experienced by suicidal individuals, with a raw, unsensationalised and feeling narrative. It aims, above all, to call for compassion and receptivity, and to create a space for and open dialogues about human suffering, depression and self-harm.

 

Not only initiating discussion and thinking about its subject material, this production also offers a sense of relief, hope, and community, for those already unfortunately experienced in this pain: you are not alone in these thoughts, and suicide is not the answer to finding closure, peace and mental well-being.

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The manner in which suicide is romanticised by the character in this text, and the devastation it brings to her and to those around her, the unawareness of the hope and support systems she could access, should be seen as a cry for faith and perseverance. Audiences are signposted to the relevant charities and organisations to seek support and help or to whom to donate, show support or direct suffering loved ones.