Hannah O’Dowd’s T3 play Unknown featured some of the strongest student talent that I’ve come across at Exeter.

In what was undoubtedly the most moving piece of university theatre I’ve seen, this play tells the true story of a plane accident and its consequences on Hannah, the writer and protagonist. Unknown tackles the complex theme of trauma with sensitivity and maturity on the writer’s part, showing the evolution of her psychological and physical wellbeing in the two years since the incident. While autobiographical, the play has a broader outlook, preventing it from feeling overly personal. O’Dowd’s aim has been to create a meaningful piece of work that gives voice to the victims and survivors of brain injury, memory loss and trauma, as well as what at times feels like a more personal attempt at catharsis. It is gentle and at times wry, while humour and light-heartedness also give the play a fresh outlook and reveal O’Dowd’s writing skill, as well as her self-awareness and perspective. Continue reading Review: Unknown