The Eradication of Schizophrenia in Western Lapland. By Polly Mortimer

The Eradication of Schizophrenia in Western Lapland - Ridiculismus - Shoreditch Town Hall Council Chamber

This four hander (two actors each side of a screen that became windows and had meaning) with an fascinating title attempted to give the audience an experience of psychosis. It was based on Open Dialogue the revolutionary technique pioneered in Finland that has virtually ‘eradicated’ ‘schizophrenia’ in western Lapland.

They aimed to ‘conjure up a comic nightmare of delusion’. I’m not quite sure whether this was achieved. Delusion is a very personal and internal thing, I think, and a man reciting his delusions about Margaret Drabble and the Nobel Prize was a tad trite. 

Into the mix swirled folk dancing, endless conversations about what was for supper, a boorish psychiatrist shouting at his partner down a phone, imaginary or real partners who could be Mark or Marnie, crisps, and death.

It had the aroma of a student production, bit devised, bit raw, slightly embarrassing. But it made me want to find out much more about Open Dialogue and maybe that success in Finland could spread worldwide.