As part of our Edinburgh Fringe 2024 coverage, we are running a series of interviews with artists and creatives who are taking part in the festival.
In this interview, we speak to Sam Ipema about Dear Annie, I Hate You.
What can you tell me about your show?
‘Dear Annie, I Hate You’ is a story based on my life when I was 20 and had no clue who I was or what I really wanted out of life… and then suddenly, I got diagnosed with a fatal brain aneurysm! It’s a one woman show about that crazy time in my life, examining what makes life worth living through the reliving of these moments…. until Annie, my brain aneurysm, finds a way to make the show all about her!
The idea began in 2020, a few years after my recovery when the theatre industry had shut down and I was graduating school. I wrote a pilot, which gained acclaim and had a hilarious journey of turning from a story about a brain aneurysm into the next ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ until I decided it was time to walk away and produce it the way I’d originally imagined, as this play. We’re really excited about how the show has developed under our amazing creative team and can’t wait for people to see it and hopefully connect with the story’s message in their own way.
How would you describe it the style of the show?
Oh wow, it’s difficult to describe! Our director, James Meteyard has helped transform the show into a wild, chaotic and energetic fever-dream enlaced with a heartfelt message throughout. Eleanor House, who plays our bratty Annie, has been a tremendous gift to the company and it’s been such a joy to work with her and see Annie come to life. She really does steal the show!
Oh wow, it’s difficult to describe! Our director, James Meteyard has helped transform the show into a wild, chaotic and energetic fever-dream enlaced with a heartfelt message throughout. Eleanor House, who plays our bratty Annie, has been a tremendous gift to the company and it’s been such a joy to work with her and see Annie come to life. She really does steal the show!
Our set and lighting, beautifully designed by Hugo Dodsworth, captures everything from a bright surgery room, to a late-night club at Daytona beach spring break. We are also so lucky to have Olivier-nominated Dan Balfour design an incredible soundscape for the show, transporting us from Sam’s mind straight into a summer party. Even a.. #bratsummer, if you will.
How do/will you prepare for the Fringe?
We have had an amazing team on board to help us prepare! The team is composed of some really experienced, really lovely creatives who run each get in and get out like a military operation. It is truly impressive what they have been able to achieve in such a short time, given just how elaborate our set and tech is. I really can’t believe it. We are also so lucky to have received support from Soho Theatre’s Edinburgh Lab, which I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of. The lab has helped so much in shaping our show throughout the rehearsal process and we’re thrilled to share the final product with everyone!
We have had an amazing team on board to help us prepare! The team is composed of some really experienced, really lovely creatives who run each get in and get out like a military operation. It is truly impressive what they have been able to achieve in such a short time, given just how elaborate our set and tech is. I really can’t believe it. We are also so lucky to have received support from Soho Theatre’s Edinburgh Lab, which I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of. The lab has helped so much in shaping our show throughout the rehearsal process and we’re thrilled to share the final product with everyone!
Other than the show, what’s something you’re looking forward to doing in Edinburgh this year?
We are pumped to check out some other shows! Including Grey Castle Productions’ ‘Is the WiFi Good in Hell?’ @isthewifigoodinhell, which features fellow new solo writing by Lyndon Chapman, on at Underbelly until the 25th of August at 12:40pm.
We are pumped to check out some other shows! Including Grey Castle Productions’ ‘Is the WiFi Good in Hell?’ @isthewifigoodinhell, which features fellow new solo writing by Lyndon Chapman, on at Underbelly until the 25th of August at 12:40pm.
As well as Babs Horton’s ‘In the Lady Garden’ @the.ladygardenders, debuting at the Pleasance Courtyard, which celebrates feminist theatre in ways we are so excited to see unfold on stage. Catch them until the 26th August at 14:15!
If your show was a biscuit, what would it be and why?
Definitely a tequila soaked bourbon cream dipped in glitter.
Definitely a tequila soaked bourbon cream dipped in glitter.
Give me a random fact about the show?
If you come, you may get a free tequila shot!
If you come, you may get a free tequila shot!
What do you hope an audience takes away from seeing the show?
I really hope first and foremost they walk away feeling affirmed about the beauty of life and how hard, funny, terrible, and random it can be. We want this to be a show that sees that and essentially, sees the individual and their struggles as they sit in the audience. I also hope that it sparks conversations with each other and within themselves about the sort of relationship they have with the voice inside their heads and their own ‘Annie’s’, so to speak. But on top of all that, I hope they laugh!
I really hope first and foremost they walk away feeling affirmed about the beauty of life and how hard, funny, terrible, and random it can be. We want this to be a show that sees that and essentially, sees the individual and their struggles as they sit in the audience. I also hope that it sparks conversations with each other and within themselves about the sort of relationship they have with the voice inside their heads and their own ‘Annie’s’, so to speak. But on top of all that, I hope they laugh!
Where can audiences see the show?
You can see us at Zoo Playground 2 everyday until the 25th of August at 16:50!
Make sure to stay updated via instagram @dearannie_ihateyou and on twitter @annieihateyou!
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