Driver's Seat: Obsessive Compulsive Disaster
Theatre (dark comedy, solo show)
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Venue 53theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall - Theatre 3
- 15:10
- Aug 24
- 45 minutes
- Country: United States
- Group: Ellie Brelis
- Warnings and additional info: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Strong language/swearing
- Accessibility: May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
- Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
- Policy applies to: Children under 18 months
Description
When you’re eight, monsters live under your bed. Ellie’s live in her head, threatening to harm her sister and taunting the imminent death of her parents. After her monster was diagnosed as OCD, the life in threat became hers. It’s 2020: Ellie can’t drive, she can’t eat pizza, she decidedly can’t keep a boyfriend… but the one thing she can do is find humour in the horror. Buckle up for a shockingly funny and twisted ride through a young woman's epic breakup, major breakdown, coming out, and – just possibly – learning how to drive.Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].
General venue access
- Accessible entry: Information not supplied
- Stairs: Information not supplied
Wheelchair access type: Level Access
Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info
How and when to make an access booking
- Phone: +44 (0)131 226 0002
- Email: [email protected]
- Textphone: +44 (0)7860 018 299
- Find out more about access at the Fringe.
Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:
- Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
- Requires extra assistance when at a venue
- Has specific seating requirements
- Is a wheelchair user
- Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance
Ali Krasner 14 days ago
A genuine, heartfelt, and humorous look at Ellie’s experience with OCD and how it’s influenced her life path. Engaging writing, well-directed, and well-paced. Ellie truly gives the performance her all. I was emotionally invested in her story and with her every step of the way.
Elly N. 15 days ago
So glad I got to see this show. It’s incredibly relatable as someone who suffers from OCD, but it also showcases that it’s not all bad, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Poignant, touching, but with humor sprinkled throughout.
Fionn 15 days ago
Raw, moving and important show that hit hard and true, but still had plenty of laughs - thank you for making us feel seen and supported
Lexi Wolfe 20 days ago
I myself have OCD and lived this show. There were parts where I was nodding along and others where I saw a different side to OCD - it comes in a variety of flavours, which was touched on. This was a life-affirming, compelling and endearing show that, whether you suffer similar conditions or not, I recommend you try and see!
Matthew Burns 21 days ago
What a remarkable performance by a brave woman who grabs your attention with the opening line and never lets it go. With just two chairs and strong lighting Brelis uses her razor sharp writing to go from comedy to tragedy seamlessly. All of it is propelled by brilliant acting. The show closes Aug 24 and do yourself a favor to see before it does. You will not regret it and you will learn so much about OCD. The best thing I have seen at Fringe this year by far.
Five stars *****
Amanda Marie 22 days ago
Stunning performance, excellent writing and powerful, well crafted show all around. Realistic and heartfelt story of living with OCD, framed in humor and in a responsible way. Powerful arc and strong themes and callbacks throughout. A delight to watch as any fringe show just as entertainment, then life changing and moving if you or a loved one live with OCD. Would see it again!
“I love you, I love you, I love you!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jonny Rust 25 days ago
A beautiful and honest play by Ellie.
Tears were shed by many around, as well as hearty laughs. A masterclass of acting with perfectly executed gear changes that don't let you know what emotion is coming next.
A must see for those that want to be thrown around by stories and feelings.
Douglas Green 28 days ago
Beautiful, funny, and often heartbreaking, this nakedly open memoir of OCD and suicidality is a perfect ad for mental health care, especially self-care. I wish more people would watch this show, hell I wish everyone would!
Susan Wendy Pritchard 28 days ago
Ellie’s performance is mesmerising. She shares aspects of her life with courage, humour and with moments that make you cry. She is a wonderful actress who commands the stage and her story is so worth telling. Do please go to see her - it’s one of the most memorable hours I’ve spent this Festival.
Zoltan 29 days ago
Ellie is a true powerhouse.
From the second she steps on stage she carries you into her world with such conviction that you feel her pain and her joy.
A flawless performance, excellent lighting and sound.
The best one woman show I have seen in ages.
Would love to see her in other plays as well.
Helen & Smiler Inleith 29 days ago
Briliant, a show that has meaning done really well.
Thanks to all involved
John Simmons 30 days ago
It’s just a woman, speaking, and two seats in an intimate performance space. But it is riveting, it’s painful, it’s lovely and it could be life-changing. Those of us who live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are often misunderstood, we are subject to intrusive thoughts which others cannot comprehend and we engage in compulsive habits which make our friends and family smile or worse. Ellie Brelis’s amazing one woman show could just open the door into this condition a little wider. She must be so brave to expose her demons to us each day. She certainly communicates what she has experienced most powerfully. Not the glitziest Fringe show, not the most outrageous but it might be the most significant for our understanding of a mental health condition that needs more attention. Please give an hour to watch this unforgettable play. “Driver’s Seat” might change your life; I’m still pondering how it has altered mine.
Dee 34 days ago
Great show, both poignant and hilarious.
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The Scotsman 18 days ago
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.