OVERSHARE
In the 21st century we share more and more of ourselves online, but where is the line of ‘too much’? Eleanor Hill explores the culture of social media in her play ‘Overshare’. There is no mention of this being an autobiographical piece or if it is based on anyone, but this 70 minute play takes us into the dark depths of ‘influencing’ and shows us just how bad it can get.
The set is a bedroom in a state of disarray, designed by Constance Villemot, the signs of a breakdown are clear to see from half-drunk bottles of wine to piles of dirty washing. Hill performs almost the entire piece into her phone – this is then streamed on the back wall which gives a disconnect similar to that felt when looking at social media profiles. This choice means that even at times when Hill cannot be clearly seen by the audience e.g. hiding under her duvet – we still have that close view via the stream.
We move through the piece watching different stories played out as if being streamed live. She shares her darkest moments and memories with us from the loss of her mum, a breakup, an obsession with an ex, an arrest and new medications. There is a raw power and intensity to Hills writing. As a millennial woman I feel all too strongly the pressure to only show the good bits of life online – this piece challenges that and shows just how easy it can be to slip into the darkest of places and yet not feel alone thanks to the ‘faceless’ people online.
This piece is not all doom and gloom though, there is some humour sprinkled throughout which brings small bits of light to the piece when they are most needed. This play is given at lightning speed, at times it feels difficult to keep up, but is that the point? The character before us is spiralling and we’re on the descent with her.
Unlike most theatre, the audience are asked to partake in the play with the use of their phones, we’re told we can interact with the play in real time though due lack of phone signal in the venue I was unable to test out this interactive side of the piece.
This piece is a technical marvel and worth seeing just for the pure clever use of phones and streaming. We are left questioning how much as an audience we enabled the story we saw unfold, voyeurs to a breakdown, watching as if it were a film. It poses interesting questions about the modern world and just how far will we let things go online before someone steps in?
This show was reviewed on the 11th May 2025 at Greenwich Theatre, London where it's booking until 25th May 2025. Tickets available here: OVERSHARE - Greenwich Theatre
Review written by Rosie Browne
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Photo credit: Joe Twigg Photography
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