The Long Run by Katie Arnstein is a heartfelt, reassuring, giggly and meaningful production that leaves all in the audience lost for words and touched in the way that only live theatre can truly affect us with its vulnerability. Bec Martin’s direction focuses on telling the story purely, without any distracting gimmicks and by honing in on developing truthful heartfelt performances. The production is an example of how all that is often truly needed is a good script, brilliant acting and honest direction.

As the audience walks in we are greeted with a very joyful and upbeat Katie who offers fruit pastels to us. We take our seats. The light dims but only slightly, and Katie begins to welcome us into her world and into her story – the story of her Mum’s Cancer diagnosis and treatment. Katie makes it very clear that she isn’t ‘the hero’ of her story. She also prefaces by telling us all to our relief, that her mum does indeed survive the journey. This is important so that the 70 minutes of storytelling that unfolds doesn’t become a lingering detective question of ‘does her Mum survive Cancer’ but rather a story about those closest to the people diagnosed, and how they deal with it.

Katie Arnstein’s script is filled with puns and an an effortlessly comedic flair. Katie’s upbeat persona succeeds in what she says is her goal: to make a funny play about Cancer, bringing out many a laugh from the audience. What is even more effective is seeing Katie as she begins to become more human in a struggle to maintain this positivity. Even the most upbeat struggle to maintain their strength.

Only two years after the heights of the pandemic, this production in the intimate New Diorama Theatre space almost becomes like a welcome group therapy session, as Katie Arnstein successfully embraces us in her warm, welcoming bubble where we can safely lose ourselves in the story of individuals caring and hoping and persevering for their loved ones.

**** Five Stars

Reviewed by Viv Williams

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