EDINBURGH 2019: Review: DROWNING, Pleasance Courtyard

The press release for Drowning had me hooked instantly. In the late 80's a group of four Austrian nurses were charged with killing 49 patients. After further investigation, the total number of murders is estimated to be 200. This play promises to explore the link between the women and why they did it.

I feel as though the play requires you to have some background knowledge of the case as there isn't really any kind of introduction. Most of what I know about the case came from reading about it online beforehand.

Drowning lightly touches on what the motives of the nurses could have been. I'm not sure whether it is fact or speculation but it was implied that all of the nurses had a background of abuse whether it be in their childhood or domestic violence later in life. It seems that the murders were seen as an act of mercy but it doesn't seem to go deep enough into why.

The method used for killing patients was to have one nurse hold the patient's nose while the other poured water down their throat. There are a couple of good moments in the show such as the line "something so innocent can take your breath away" in reference to the murder weapon. The dark subject matter is also a complete contrast to the jaunty female 80's hits that are played throughout such as "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".

While it is based on a fascinating story, Drowning doesn't seem to do its subject or the victims justice.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/drowning