"Every month, I receive vicious instructions in my knickers, sealed with a bloody kiss. Every month, I can’t refuse."
Enter Mimi Thompson and her gripping, hilarious new one-woman show, The Haunting. Written and performed by Thompson, the play explores what happens when a monthly routine of biological compliance turns into an all-out rebellion. It’s a deeply relatable, hauntingly funny exploration of control, our bodies, and our deepest desires.
We sat down with Mimi to learn more about the show.
“The Haunting” is a comedy about a woman who is being haunted by her period. Every month, her periods sends her instructions of things she must do or the bleeding won’t stop. I like to write about feminism and perform comedy, which allows for reflection on things that impact women’s lives, but I especially like it when it’s taken to an extreme. A few things that inspired me while I was writing/rehearsing “The Haunting” include: Cynthia Erivo’s “Dracula”, “She’s Always Hungry” by Eliza Clark, “Girl on Girl” by Sophie Gilbert, Natalie Palamides, “Succubus” a play by Georgina Collins – which you can see at Edi Fringe 2026 – and all the conversations I’ve had with my friends, especially my director Nathalee Avery, about their periods!
The imagery of receiving "vicious instructions in your knickers, sealed with a bloody kiss" is so striking. Where did that exact visual metaphor come from, and how did you expand it into a full narrative arc?
I first wrote “The Haunting” as a short story as part of my Creative Writing masters. We were tasked to write a scary story, and when I thought of something that has truly scared me in the past, it’s been the fear of bleeding through my pants during my period. So, I started writing, turning this fear into something more imaginative and surreal. I always like to include concrete metaphors in my work, which is why the piece had such bloody imagery throughout. Then, I read it aloud and found myself wanting to act everything out… the piece belonged on the stage, and I got to work adapting it into an hour show.
I first wrote “The Haunting” as a short story as part of my Creative Writing masters. We were tasked to write a scary story, and when I thought of something that has truly scared me in the past, it’s been the fear of bleeding through my pants during my period. So, I started writing, turning this fear into something more imaginative and surreal. I always like to include concrete metaphors in my work, which is why the piece had such bloody imagery throughout. Then, I read it aloud and found myself wanting to act everything out… the piece belonged on the stage, and I got to work adapting it into an hour show.
PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) or severe PMS can genuinely feel like a psychological hijacking. Did the idea for The Haunting stem from personal experiences of feeling like a different person depending on your cycle?
Although the show idea stemmed from some personal experience, I wrote “The Haunting” about the collective experience many people face throughout their entire menstrual cycle: feeling like a different person, feeling off-balance, feeling like their minds and bodies are completely out of sync.
Without giving too much away, what can you tell us about the specific "instruction" that finally pushes your character to rebel? What makes that line the one she refuses to cross?
The protagonist is ordered to kiss her best friend’s boyfriend... X x x. I won’t say anything else:)
The protagonist is ordered to kiss her best friend’s boyfriend... X x x. I won’t say anything else:)
The Haunting is described as both haunting and comedic. How do you find the comedy in moments that feel genuinely terrifying or restrictive? Is humour a defense mechanism for the character, or a tool for the audience?
The concept of the show is certainly haunting, but audiences won’t be too scared! My director and I have leaned into slapstick comedy, pantomime, and campiness to make this a true comedy. It’s a narrated story but includes a lot of character comedy to build out proper scenes that are teetering on the edge of something scary, only to be brough back to humour. Anyone who comes can decide for themselves if they were scared at times!!!
The concept of the show is certainly haunting, but audiences won’t be too scared! My director and I have leaned into slapstick comedy, pantomime, and campiness to make this a true comedy. It’s a narrated story but includes a lot of character comedy to build out proper scenes that are teetering on the edge of something scary, only to be brough back to humour. Anyone who comes can decide for themselves if they were scared at times!!!
Shock value can sometimes distance an audience, but comedy often brings them in. How do you use humour to talk about menstruation—a topic that still carries an absurd amount of societal squeamishness—without losing the high stakes of the story?
It is still quite taboo to talk about menstruation. As I’ve been promoting the show, I’ve found that some people get really awkward or stressed out when I use the word “period” and they don’t want to come watch it, claiming it’s “not for them”. For anyone who might feel that way, I want to challenge you to take a risk and consider that my show might surprise you in how relatable it is for everyone. I am trying to use comedy and humour to bring people – it’s a tool to that allows people to relate, but also to shake off potential awkward/stressy feelings.
Writing a solo show is one thing; being the only body on stage delivering a story about the body is another. How does the physical toll of a one-woman show mirror the themes of bodily exhaustion and control in the script?
Love this question! I hadn’t thought about that – putting on a solo show, even with a lovely director to help, is very exhausting. I’m thinking about it 24/7, even in my dreams. It’s like the show is now haunting me, haha! However, simultaneously, I am energized by being on stage and wanted to share this story because I think it’s important. So, the themes of mind/body synchronicity are definitely prevalent there!
Love this question! I hadn’t thought about that – putting on a solo show, even with a lovely director to help, is very exhausting. I’m thinking about it 24/7, even in my dreams. It’s like the show is now haunting me, haha! However, simultaneously, I am energized by being on stage and wanted to share this story because I think it’s important. So, the themes of mind/body synchronicity are definitely prevalent there!
The synopsis mentions that this is a tale of control, the body, and our deepest desires. How does the control of the period twist or reveal what the character actually wants out of life?
The protagonist’s period directs her to do a lot of things she supposedly doesn’t want to, but where do these orders even come from? Within herself? Or is she actually being haunted? Who do we believe in the story? Aha! It’ll be up for audiences to decide.
When people leave the theatre—especially those who may not personally experience periods—what is the main feeling or conversation you hope The Haunting sparks in the bar afterward?
I don’t want people to think this is just a show about periods for audiences who get a period. Yes, menstruation is the main plot line (and so it may be more relatable to those who experience it), but it’s also story about female friendships, interior voices, and the connection between the human body and mind. I hope that audiences will discuss moments that they’ve felt that their bodies and minds have been out of sync – due to a period or not – and what this says about their true emotions. We can feel a certain way, but it can be fleeting and doesn’t define our true wants or the type of person we are. Sometimes, it is telling about a hidden desire that wants to be unearthed.
I don’t want people to think this is just a show about periods for audiences who get a period. Yes, menstruation is the main plot line (and so it may be more relatable to those who experience it), but it’s also story about female friendships, interior voices, and the connection between the human body and mind. I hope that audiences will discuss moments that they’ve felt that their bodies and minds have been out of sync – due to a period or not – and what this says about their true emotions. We can feel a certain way, but it can be fleeting and doesn’t define our true wants or the type of person we are. Sometimes, it is telling about a hidden desire that wants to be unearthed.
The Haunting runs at The Libra Theatre Cafe as part of the Camden Fringe on Wednesday 5th at 9pm and Thursday 6th August at 5pm. For tickets, visit https://camdenfringe.com/events/the-haunting-2/
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