It almost feels wrong being entertained and laughing with someone who essentially has a “ticking time bomb” nestled within their brain, in the form of an aneurysm. Dear Annie, I Hate You takes you through the journey of Sam before and after her diagnosis of finding that she has an aneurysm.
As Sam comes to terms with the life-changing diagnosis. Annie (aneurysm) comes to life and is delighted at being talked about openly and takes the form of another actor dressed in a pink sequin jumpsuit who loves the attention and wants to be heard.
After opening up to her friends and coming to terms with the diagnosis Sam is left with a big decision. To clip or not to clip the aneurysm. The operation is a huge decision and there are plenty of life-changing risks involved and recovery isn’t going to be straightforward.
There is a no-hold-barred visual description of how the Doctors operate on the clipping of the aneurysm. It’s not for the faint-hearted but if you’re not squeamish the medical procedure is fascinating to watch. Although you are allowed to leave during that part and return afterwards, nobody did.
The stage is surrounded by television sets which allow the entire audience to watch the interviews with Sam’s family, photos and the operation taking place. The futuristic-style tubes are plugged in at first to depict the life source of the aneurysm beginning its life and as Sam begins to recover they are unhooked.
Dear Annie, I Hate You is a fascinating performance tackling a life-threatening aneurysm “head” on and Sam is living her life without hiding away in fear of what might happen next. An informative production that combines humour, fear and above all bravery. I left questioning how I would feel if I was in the same situation. It is a play well worth going to watch.
For more information about Dear Annie, I Hate You please check out the link below.
Four Stars.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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