Disorder kicks off exploration of quest for happiness

Nisha Madhan (left) plays three roles in the play by Julie Hill (right). Photo / Supplied

As playwright Julie Hill scanned the Guardian newspaper online, there was one headline she couldn't go past: "I won't be happy until I lose my leg."

Hill, who is also a journalist and radio producer, found herself introduced to a neuro-psychological condition called body identity integrity disorder. Those living with BIID want to amputate one or more of their healthy limbs because they believe they will feel more complete.

Aware the often quixotic quest for happiness can make people do strange things, Hill saw a starting point for a play. "I was struck by the fact that there are so many ways for people to discern whether they are happy and thought this rather extreme example could serve as a metaphor for exploring the issue."

The result is I Won't Be Happy Until I Lose One of My Limbs, starring former Shortland Street star Nisha Madhan and Gareth Reeves. Madhan and Reeves play six characters between them, all of whom live in a small New Zealand town. They share a desire to be happy - how they go about achieving this differs.

Artist O'Gradient (Madhan) believes only losing a limb will bring her joy. Despite O'Gradient's fascination with suffering, Hill feels most people will understand her.

Production designer Stephen Bain says he finds our evolving attitude to our bodies intriguing. "It's like the body is now this external thing that can be changed at will."

Hill set the play in Love Mountain, a town based on her parents' home of Te Aroha. "It's a really fun project because I can just go for it," says Bain, who has no intention of adding dark or edgy elements to the small-town set. He says that comes through strongly enough in Hill's writing.

Performance

What: I Won't Be Happy Until I Lose One Of My Limbs

Where and when: The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, February 2-19