REVIEW: FAST by Kate Barton and Steven Bennett at Upstairs at the Gatehouse 2-17 Nov 2024

Photographer: Lucy Nixon

"I prefer to see things as they really are." ★★★

Based on a true story, "FAST" recounts the chilling tale of Dr Linda Hazzard, a self-proclaimed fasting specialist who lived in Olalla in the 1910's, who manipulated her patients into believing that starvation was a path to health. She implemented her starvation technique, alongside other invasive and torturous treatments, and inflicted them on numerous patients with tragic consequences. Enter Horace Cayton, an enterprising journalist who becomes intrigued by Hazzard and questions her unorthodox treatments and medical training. As he delves deeper into the mysterious deaths of several of her patients, he becomes increasingly determined to expose her as a charlatan.

"FAST" possesses remarkable dramatic potential, the cast delivers strong performances, the set design and attention to historical detail in the costumes and props is exemplary. However, "FAST" falters in its pacing and narrative choices. The script frequently missed opportunities to create moments of real suspense or horror, often glossing over revelations that could have deepened the emotional impact. For example, when Hazzard fabricated a letter of gratitude from a deceased patient and bequeathed an expensive gift to herself, this could have been a bone-chilling moment; instead it became muddled as the deceased patient read the letter aloud - leaving the audience uncertain as to whether the patient was still alive, whether they had actually written the letter or whether the letter was merely being read out by them for artistic purposes. Such missed opportunities are a recurring issue, as scenes that could have evoked terror or suspense felt staid.

Where "FAST" excelled was the intense confrontation between Cayton and Hazzard in her sanitorium - in the climactic showdown, when he challenges her methods and holds her accountable for the suffering she has inflicted - their battle of wits was energetic, amusing and powerful. Their discussion about being an "outsider" - him for his race, her for her sex - was particularly compelling. I only wish this dynamic had been played out sooner and in more depth. 

Production choices similarly fail to capitalize on the story's inherent drama. Atmospheric lighting or music might have amplified the sense of dread, drawing the audience further into the psychological horrors of Hazzard's treatments. Unfortunately, the production team opted for a more restrained approach, and as a result, moments that should have been harrowing felt subdued. Cayton's discovery of the horrors occurring at the sanitorium could also have been more developed - it was possible to give us a glimpse of the grisly discoveries without exploiting them.

The play’s ending felt rushed and glossed over crucial events that could have rounded out the story. The courtroom scenes and the machinations behind Hazzard’s ultimate downfall are largely unexplored, leaving the narrative feeling incomplete. These elements, if fully developed, might have added depth and cohesion to the overall arc, enriching the play’s impact.

The cast were all sterling, particularly Sarah Thom who embodied Hazzard as a woman of formidable conviction with a deluded sense of righteousness, whose martyr complex and unrelenting self-assurance made her both horrifying and pitiable. Opposite her, Jermaine Dominique's Cayton is imbued with ebullience, tenacity and integrity, as the ethical journalist embarks on a journey to bring Hazzard to justice. 

With a tighter script and bolder production choices, "FAST" might fully capture the disturbing legacy of Dr. Hazzard’s practices and the courage of the man who sought to expose her. The story is riveting, all the more so because it's true, but its pacing and execution left room for improvement.

FAST by Kate Barton and Steven Bennett

Presented by Stephen Leslie Productions

Upstairs at the Gatehouse

2-17 Nov

Box office: https://upstairsatthegatehouse.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173654598/events/428656647