Carol Trehorne's only child, Max, is in ICU with severe burns. Max, a
performance artist, has set himself alight. He recovers but it becomes
clear that he is planning further performances that will put him at risk
of serious injury or death. Carol, a single parent and a GP in a busy
suburban practice, is worried that her son is not the genius his friends
think he is, but might be on drugs or going psychotic. As she discusses
her concerns with her son's psychiatrist, she wonders if her past
behaviour, in particular her relationship with the adventurous and
anti-social Jack, has influenced Max's determination to use his body as
a site of violent art in the pursuit of revelation. Carol cannot accept
that Max's self-harm will have any effect other than to add to the
meaningless violence in the world. Accident raises questions about what
kind of life is worth living and what death is worth dying. It explores
the different responses artists and scientists can have to violence and
self-destructive behaviour, and throws into sharp relief the
difficulties parents face when their children me decisions that appear
incomprehensible.
