Last night I had the pleasure of seeing 384 Days in the main house at The Pleasance, and I was completely blown away. Having never visited the space before, the cabaret-style table seating created the perfect atmosphere for an intimate one woman show.

Megan Ita O’Rourke delivers an extraordinary performance as Molly, a young woman spending her 384th day in a psychiatric ward, awaiting her release review. Through sharp wit, aching vulnerability, and moments of genuine humour, O’Rourke invites the audience to become part of Molly’s world. We are her review team, her friends, and her audience for her daily magic show  an act that has become her lifeline.

Following the sudden death of her father, Molly’s world spirals into confusion, guilt, and grief. In her desperate attempt to make sense of it all, she turns to magic as a way to bring him back, blurring the line between reality and illusion. When her routine is interrupted by Nurse Eileen, Molly prepares for what could be her last day inside. What begins as a hopeful performance slowly unravels into something far darker and more fragile.

O’Rourke moves seamlessly between characters and moods, often shifting from comedy to heartbreak in an instant. Her connection with the audience feels spontaneous and deeply human, leaving us rooting for her while questioning what is real and what is imagined.

Theo Collins’ direction is precise yet tender, guiding the story with a balance of humour, tension, and truth. The staging choices keep the energy dynamic, even within the confines of a single set. Faith To’s beautifully minimalist design, white walls sketched with black windows and doors, captures both the emptiness and the claustrophobia of Molly’s mental space. Ella Corrieri’s animations and Geneve Chu’s projection llayer the experience with dreamlike imagery that blurs reality, while Lev Govoroski’s inventive magic direction adds a sense of wonder that feels both hopeful and haunting.

384 Days doesn’t shy away from difficult themes ,mental health, trauma, and loss but instead transforms them into something raw, moving, and deeply poetic. It’s a rare piece that makes you laugh even as your heart aches.

By the end, you’re left in awe of O’Rourke’s talent and courage. 384 Days is more than a play it’s an emotional journey, a love letter to survival, and a testament to the power of theatre to turn pain into magic.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐