Overshare review – provocative tour inside a livestreamed breakdown
Social media is a place for sharing, but as we lead more of our lives online, when does the urge to connect become destructive? The question permeates writer and performer Eleanor Hill's show, a tour through personal crises, mediated by the compulsion to broadcast it all online.
Hill livestreamed her very real breakdown on Instagram in 2020, when she was struggling to access mental health support during the Covid pandemic. She turned that experience into video monologues, which became a 2023 Edinburgh fringe show. This expanded version, pertinently re-branded as Overshare, tells us '90% of these stories are real'.
That initial breakdown is replicated here. While Constance Villemot's set portrays a bedroom in chaos, Hill clings to her phone throughout, and footage from her front-facing camera appears to us, supersized, as we become part of her live stream's audience.
The effect is interesting. It's sometimes difficult to see Hill – instead eyes are drawn to her digital presence, sound slightly out-of-sync, creating a distance. It's one her persona feels too: 'If I could see you, I would not share this much.' Pop-up memes and clips from Hill's real Instagram account create a busy backdrop.
We hop between different live streams, piecing together Hill's story – the loss of her mum, life with her greengrocer dad, low moods and an increasingly toxic relationship with older man Mark. The show succeeds in showing the repetitive, unglamorous slog of psychological survival: every day as a new start, finding something positive to see you through the night. There's humour too, particularly in scenes about stalking Mark online and using her live streams to catch his attention.
Overshare poses intriguing questions about both online life and autobiographical theatre, but the interrogation is frustratingly ambivalent. What led her to livestreaming? Did it help or hinder her mental state? Who was watching? There are shades of Netflix drama You, as Hill turns the camera on the theatre audience and asks why we want to consume her pain. 'My life isn't a movie,' she reminds us. 'I'm a real person.' Being invited to pass judgment on a show like this is an interesting provocation.
At Greenwich Theatre, London, until 25 May
In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island star reveals terrifying moment she was forced to run screaming after being followed by a man: 'I'm scared to walk around'
A Love Island star has revealed she was forced to run screaming after being followed by a man in a terrifying ordeal. Patsy Field took to social media to detail the horrifying incident with fans as she admitted she no longer felt safe in her local area. The former islander, 30, who took part in last year's summer edition of the ITV dating show, told fans how she went on a walk in Bromley shortly after 8pm. In a video, she explained how she had headed out in a bid to walk off 'being full of steak' after a family dinner at Miller and Carter. She said: 'I'd got an outfit on which could be a bit revealing but like I said, I'd never had any issues before. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I've always felt safe where I'm from.' Patsy told how her mother always discourages her from walking by herself at night because the area she's from gets 'a bed rep'. About 10 minutes into her stroll, Patsy realised there was a man walking close by her and she crossed the road. She said: 'I give it a couple of steps on the other side of the road and I thought, I'll just check and I turn around and he's crossed the road.' Unsettled, Patsy said she remained open-minded because there were parked cars on that side of the road. However, in disbelief, the man once again crossed the road after she had moved back. Thinking on her feet while panicking, Patsy stopped walking and looked down at her phone, with the man walking on past her. She continued: 'I can see the end of the road so he carries on walking, there's a zebra crossing right at the end of the road. Patsy told fans how she screamed for help before running off and ringing her mother to come and collect her 'He crosses the zebra crossing and he's about to be out of my sight, but then just as he's about to go out of sight, like away, he stops and turns back around and he just starts walking back towards me. 'I'm like what the f**k is going on.' As the man made contact with Patsy, she was left unnerved and began screaming for help and ran in the opposite direction. The reality star rang her mother who was able to come and pick her up. 'Now I'm scared to walk around my own area which is a shame as I've never had an issue before,' she admitted. While on Love Island, Patsy revealed she w as born with Erb palsy, a disability that affects the muscle function in her right arm and also means it is shorter in length. She told how she should have been born via cesarean, but doctors made the crucial error for her to be delivered naturally, resulting in the defect, which she has had to overcome her entire life.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Bridgerton star reveals terrifying moment phone thief threatened to STAB her in cafe attack – before she tackled him
A BRIDGERTON star has revealed a phone thief threatened to stab her in a cafe attack before she bravely tackled him. Genevieve Chenneour was sitting in a Joe & The Juice in Kensington, South West London when the terrifying ordeal happened. 3 3 Zacariah Boulares snuck up behind the 27-year-old and swiped her phone on February 8. Genevieve - who plays Clara Livingston in the hit Netflix show - revealed that the "full on scrap" lasted for about five minutes. She pinned the 18-year-old thief to the floor but has now said he threatened to stab her. "I was threatened with being stabbed, so it became a matter of life and death," she told ITV. "I remember kicking him back with my leg to create space in case he had a weapon on him." She described it as a "life-changing, crazy moment". The star said the ordeal has left her feeling scared to venture outside and she has even left her home in the capital to take a "break" from the lawless city. Astonishing footage from police showed Genevieve grabbing Boulares' shoulder as she realised her phone had been taken. She then tackled the serial thief to the ground with the help of another customer. Genevieve managed to take her phone back from Boulares before repeatedly hitting him with it in the posh cafe. She previously claimed she suffered a concussion in the horror in February and said even her dog was "traumatised". The star added: "They didn't expect me to stand up for myself – but I did." Algerian national Boulares previously pleaded guilty to stealing the phone. The teen also admitted common assault against fellow Joe and the Juice customer Carlo Kurcishi, who had stepped in to help. Boulares pleaded guilty to a separate charge of theft after he swiped a black leather hand bag from a diner at a pizza restaurant. The court heard he has 12 previous convictions for a total of 28 offences - all relating to theft. His rap sheet includes threatening to cut off Aled Jones' arm while stealing his £17,000 Rolex. The Songs of Praise presenter, 52, was out with his son Lucas when he was targeted near their home in Chiswick, South West London. Boulares - then aged 16 - pulled out 20 inch machete and repeatedly threatened Aled in a bid to steal the luxury timepiece. He told him: "Give me your f***king Rolex or I will cut your arm off." Aled handed over the £17,000 Rolex Daytona watch rather than fight with the armed robber. He and his son bravely followed the 6ft teen but when he spotted them, he snarled: "Walk the other way or I will cut your head off." Boulares was given a two year training and detention order after pleading guilty to robbery at Ealing Youth Court. But he was released from youth detention early after serving just 14 months of his 24-month sentence. He will be sentenced for robbing Genevieve on June 17 at Isleworth Crown Court. 3
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
MAFS star quits showbiz and returns to day job as he puts a call out for new business
back to reality MAFS star quits showbiz and returns to day job as he puts a call out for new business MARRIED At First Sight hunk Ross McCarthy has revealed that he has quit showbiz and returned to his day job. The E4 star has returned to his roots as a painter and decorator following his failed TV marriage. Advertisement 3 MAFS hunk Ross has revealed he has gone back to his day job Credit: Instagram / @ 3 His TV marriage to Sacha failed Credit: Channel 4 Ross shared a call out for his business in which he revealed that he and his team are happy to travel for jobs far and wide. He appears to be using his fame to drum up interest in the business by committing to doing jobs for his followers across the country. Appealing for more custom as he returns to his old life, Ross wrote online: "To all my followers who live further away. "If you're looking for painting and decorating work done, especially bigger jobs, feel free to DM me. Advertisement "I've had a few people ask about distance, but it's no issue now - we're happy to travel and focus on delivering quality work every time. "Let's get your space looking spot on." His career u-turn comes just days after he bravely opened up to confirm that he is an alcoholic. Ross made history on the show as its first deaf groom, but he broke Sacha's heart after struggling with his anger issues. Advertisement The reality TV star has since turned his life around – and found new love with a girlfriend Magda. In a powerful message to fans, Ross revealed that he's 65 days sober and determined never to go back. Watch the moment MAFS bride makes major relationship U-turn as she drops bombshell on husband after meeting his family In an emotional post, he shared: 'For everyone who's been asking me about this book – what is it, and what's it done for me – well, here you go. 'I'm finally ready to share it with the world, because I'm more stable now, and my mindset is stronger than ever. Advertisement 'So yeah… I'm an alcoholic. 'And I'm proud to say that out loud now, because back then, I couldn't.' Ross credited a life-changing book and the unwavering support of his loved ones for helping him on his journey to sobriety. 3 Ross is mow back working as a decorator Credit: Instagram / @
