New Play by Activist and Playwright Athena Stevens

Activist and playwright Athena Stevens has premiered her latest play, which she also stars in. The piece delves into the unsettling yet poignant experiences of those living with disabilities. It particularly highlights the dissonance many feel in their realities, which intensifies during a harrowing night at the police station. Stevens’ character, a woman in a wheelchair, becomes convinced that a disastrous flood is poised to hit central London. The question lingers: will anyone take her seriously?

The story unfolds in a near-future setting where, ostensibly, protective measures for society’s most at-risk individuals have been instated, but they seem to have exacerbated the situation instead. In this world, artificial intelligence now dictates rights, and when articulated in a robotic tone, these rights feel even more elusive. Witness accounts are recorded for safety, yet they end up distorted, failing to convey the truth, leaving the protagonist trapped in a warped version of reality.

The director, Choi Walker, who also plays the interrogator, keeps the tension teetering on the edge. The pulsating red light and Julian Starr’s immersive sound design create a gripping atmosphere, though at times it feels excessively frenetic. There’s a moment where the energy almost overwhelms—perhaps the intent is to ease the audience’s anxiety, but it might detract from the chilling sense of fate closing in.

The production shines most brilliantly during Stevens’ compelling monologues. Portraying a drone operator fixated on her screen, she searches for vulnerabilities in the London Underground. This unnamed character evokes memories of her nights lost in the virtual world, almost adopting a different identity. In these moments, she seems to drift away from reality, entranced by her drones, all while she seeks out threats that exist only in her perspective.

Catch the production at Finbara Theatre, London until June 7th.