When a vulnerable adult is hauled into the police station at 3 am by the Rookie police officeron duty (Ted Walliker) after an assault has taken place, it’s easy to jump to conclusions, just like the Police Officer played by Ché Walker automatically does and begins by following the laid-out regulations in place when holding a vulnerable person in custody.

However, it soon becomes clear that she is far from a vulnerable person, and she tries to understand what’s happening and desperately tries to explain her side before it’s too late.

We, the audience, are called in to sit and observe as the local Citizen Panel. Making sure that the officer follows the law guidelines surrounding her arrest, and gives any feedback if we feel her treatment has been unfair.

However, I have to be clear that the audience isn’t called upon to participate at any time. I think it’s a clever device to capture our attention and listen to every detail, just in case we need to remember something later.

Although, it soon becomes apparent that the “victim” was the perpetrator in the assault scenario, although she had a good and legitimate reason to have assaulted the person in question.

A play like Diagnosis offers a challenging script for reviewers. Full of spoilers and twists that could give the plot away. It wouldn’t do the play justice to give anything away, you need to watch the play without any real idea of where the plot will take you next and “enjoy” the journey.

This is the second production I have watched by Stevens. The first one was Scrounger and also performed at The Finborough Theatre. It is clear how passionate and talented she is both as an actor and writer.

For more information about Diagnosis and future productions at The Finborough Theatre, please use the link below.

Five Stars.

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What is a Citizens Panel?

A citizens panel in the context of police custody refers to a group of local residents who volunteer to monitor and provide feedback on the treatment of detainees in police custody. These panels aim to ensure transparency and accountability in police practices.