Details

Can suicide ever be a rational choice? In January of this year Sir Terry Pratchett (recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease) spoke eloquently on this subject. His BBC Dimbleby Lecture 'Shaking Hands with Death' set out his rationale for choosing to die at a time and in a place of his own volition. 'My life, my death, my choice'. Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize winning play confronts this, the issue of ultimate self determination. From the beginning we are told of Jessie's intention to kill herself and so begin her mother's desperate attempts to stop her. But to what extent should we respect the desire of a fellow human being to end his or her life earlier than is necessary? What happens when we confront someone who does decide they want to step off the edge of life? In the case of someone who kills themselves on the basis of calm judgement, our reaction is likely to be one of cold terror. What they force us to consider is the fact that life is not just a fact of life, that we can weigh its value and determine that it has all been spent. (Baggini 2010) Julian Baggini's topical philosophical debate plays out in all its confusion, love and agony through Jessie and Thelma's struggle. A mother's instinctual fight to preserve her daughter's life set against Jessie's matter-of-fact determination to end it.

Cast/Performers

Jayne Harvatt (Thelma Cates), Emily Connell (Jessie Cates)

Creatives/Company

Author: Marsha Norman
Producer(s): Mark Connell, Fragile Productions
Director: Emily Connell
Design: Charlie Wilkinson
Costume: Charlie Wilkinson