Wendy Smith, producer of 3wishes theatre, talks with Fringe Review’s Noah Alfred Pantano about “Breathe…” by Jazz Ely. “Breathe…” is a quirky ensemble show exploring the effects OCD has on families and relationships. It is on during Colchester Fringe Summer Weekender with shows at 1900 on Thursday 23 July and at 1630 on Saturday 25 July. Tickets are available now.
NAP: Hello Wendy! Happy Fringe! So pitch it to me: what is Breathe…?
WS: Breathe… is an acclaimed, darkly funny, and deeply personal play written by Colchester playwright Jazz Ely. It tackles the reality of living with somatic OCD, following a young woman named Sam whose plans to start a family are derailed by obsessive, torturous thoughts about automatic bodily functions like breathing, blinking, and swallowing. The show blends ludicrous satire with heart-rending drama delivered by a quirky and inventive ensemble cast. It’s a challenging subject and there are some bleak moments, but ultimately, it’s an uplifting piece that brings humour and hope to all of our dark places.
NAP: It sounds quite emotional. What journey can audiences expect you to take us on?
WS: Breathe… is an unusual story and a unique theatre experience. It draws you into the inner life of someone who is struggling to navigate what is real and what is fantasy. The audience is, in effect, joining a battle for control.
NAP: What does the title Breathe… mean? Why include the ellipses after the word breathe?
WS: Yeah, that ellipsis gives review writers a real headache!! In this instance, it shows hesitation and uncertainty. It is meant to throw people. Imagine the stress of not knowing whether it’s best to breathe or not to breathe. That’s what somatic OCD is like.
NAP: 3wishes theatre has presented a wide range of works in the past, from queer dramas to Sarah Kane’s 4:44 Psychosis. Why did 3wishes theatre choose to produce this work?
WS: We were intrigued by Jazz’s emerging talent as a playwright when we saw one of her short plays presented at a new writers’ showcase in 2023. The following year, she showed us some scenes from a new play she was writing about OCD. In workshops, actors loved it, and it was a great fit for our own trademark mix of symbolist theatre and realism. It made us laugh and it made us cry, especially as Jazz was writing it from her real experience. We had to do it.
NAP: What makes this show stand out amongst other fringe shows? What is the unique selling point?
WS: We’ve been blown away by the response to Breathe…. Introducing a new play by a rising writer is always a gamble, but Jazz’s fearless, heartfelt storytelling has captivated audiences. It’s an honest, deeply emotional story that resonates with anyone striving to reclaim control over their own life.
NAP: How does your show challenge, explore, and/or subvert thinking on mental health in
young people?
WS: Breathe… deals with multiple aspects of mental health, such as how some things that may be apparently trivial can become a serious risk if they remain hidden. It’s also very honest about ineffectual treatments. Some of the most striking feedback from our audiences is about how the play enlightened them, not just about OCD, but about their own personal challenges.
NAP: Let’s say I’m unsure if I want to see your show: what is the one thing you’d tell me to
convince me to come.
WS: Breathe… is not just a show, it’s a theatrical experience with music, movement and laughter; but be prepared for a deeply emotional struggle as we lay bare the hidden cost of OCD.
NAP: Why did you want to bring the play to Colchester Fringe?
WS: Fringe audiences are fantastic. They approach Fringe shows with an open mind. They want to be moved, surprised and provoked, and they are very supportive of experimental approaches. Being Colchester-based, we love performing within our community. It’s uplifting inspiring to be part of a creative hub where people go, not just to see plays, but to feel connected.
NAP: You have an exciting tour planned this year for Breathe… following the performances in Colchester. If you could perform this show anywhere in the world (other than Colchester), where would it be and why?
WS: It would be fascinating to see how this show could work in Japan. Reports say that mental health care in Japan is underutilised and that many people with mental health problems go undiagnosed. Our stylisation is probably influenced by Japanese theatre traditions that rely heavily on symbolism and physical skills. We’d love to take it there!
Breathe… by Jazz Ely is playing at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester as part of the Colchester Fringe Summer Weekender with shows at 1900 on Thursday 23 July and at 1630 on Saturday 25 July. Tickets are available now.
Be sure to check out all the upcoming plays at Colchester Fringe, including Fringe Review’s “Highly Recommended” A Year and A Day and One Man Poe and FringeReview’s very own resident reviewer and blogger, Noah Alfred Pantano’s Pup Play: A Queer Pseudo-Lecture (of sorts) who you can read our interview with here.
