Q&A with director Ché Walker on Diagnosis

Taking place in a police interrogation room over one evening, Diagnosis follows a vulnerable woman with a disability brought in for questioning after an altercation in a bar. As the show unfolds, the police try to determine if she’s a threat, unwell or making a confession, but events take a turn when she warns of an imminent disaster. The show marks the return to the theatre of Olivier nominated actor Athena Stevens and is directed by award winning director Ché Walker. He tells us more about the show.

What initially drew you to direct Diagnosis, and how did Athena Stevens' script resonate with you personally or artistically?

I was drawn to ‘ Diagnosis’ because of its originality and intensity and the fact that it is very passionate and also mysterious 

The play explores themes of perception, mental health, and technology—how did you approach staging such complex and abstract elements, like the glowing words the protagonist sees?

We have some ideas about the glowing blue words but I’m not going to give it away - come see !

The show is set on one night in a police interrogation room, how did you maintain visual and dramatic tension throughout the one-night timeline?

The play builds in rhythm and urgency and becomes a pressure cooker as the two characters probe each other for the ultimate truth

You've collaborated with Athena Stevens since RADA—how has your creative relationship evolved over the years, and what unique dynamic did it bring to this production?

I met Athena when she was studying with me at Rada and was immediately impressed by her work ethic and ambition. Athena and I are both very angry and have low tolerances for bulls**t. It’s been a special joy being a part of Athena’s exciting growth as an artist.

How did you balance the psychological intensity of the interrogation with the thriller aspects of the plot, especially as the warning about an imminent disaster escalates?

The characters raw emotions are revealed as the clock ticks down - we are both always thinking about the countdown and adjusting tactics

In your opinion, what does Diagnosis ultimately say about society’s response to voices that challenge power, especially from those who are disabled or marginalized?

The play is a warning about our refusal as a society to listen and take people seriously and the perils of not seeing each other and putting each other into boxes that we then spend our lives struggling to get out.

Diagnosis is at the Finborough Theatre until 7th June. For more go to https://finboroughtheatre.co.uk/production/diagnosis/