Few of us have been untouched by mental illness, directly or indirectly, which partly accounts for the success of London-based Australian playwright Kendall Feaver’s debut work.

Premiering in Manchester in 2018, when it won the UK Theatre Award for Best New Play – one of several accolades – The Almighty Sometimes has been presented by companies around the world including Queensland Theatre and Sydney’s Griffin Theatre.

So, one could say this MTC production is overdue. However, director Hannah Goodwin’s focused, sensitive interpretation and the fine cast, particularly Nadine Garner and Max McKenna, make it worth the wait.

Max McKenna and Nadine Garner in Melbourne Theatre Company’s The Almighty Sometimes. Photo © Pia Johnson

The Almighty Sometimes, whose title refers to a medical assessment form, centres on freshly minted adult Anna. She wants to stop taking the cocktail of medications that has stabilised her mental health since age 11. Anna has discovered reams of brilliant but dark creative writing from her pre-medicated life, and wants to reignite that mental spark; she wants to find her true self.

The play follows what is a difficult journey not only for Anna, but also those around...