Elaine Gross

I found this to be an offensive characterization of our healthcare system. While I recognize that a surrealist comedy is not necessarily intended to be medically accurate, the play seemed to have little meaningful guidance or consultation from medical professionals. Some of the procedures depicted, as well as the way certain characters behaved, were at odds with how healthcare professionals would act and served to strengthen harmful stereotypes about hardworking professionals. I was particularly disappointed by the portrayal of the doctor as a problematic, incompetent fool. This characterization felt both unfair and disconnected from the major issues facing healthcare today. Rather than examining the systemic causes of the current crisis, the play seemed to point the finger at front-line staff. In doing so, the production presented what I felt was a significant amount of misinformation. From its portrayal of how managers are compensated to its suggestion that staff competence is a major contributor to the problems within our healthcare system. These are complex systemic issues, and reducing them to the shortcomings of individuals is a disservice to the realities they face. The result felt unnecessarily divisive at a time when the public should be standing behind the front-line workers in our hospitals. It is not fair to portray these workers in such a negative and derogatory light, particularly when they are working within a system facing significant challenges. The final monologue makes some reasonable points, but unfortunately, I found its message undermined by much of what came before it. I wouldn't recommend this show as it furthers the rhetoric that healthcare is failing due to its staff, rather than a problem rooted in governance and funding.