Producer Stephanie Chu tells us about physical theatre show July 15th to …, which comes to Edinburgh Fringe this year. Written by Juno Chen and directed by Angelina Voznesenskaia, this piece is performed by Peiyi Zhong.
“A one-woman physical theatre performance about living with bipolar disorder. Through movement, Ella’s world shifts between emotional highs and lows-bursts of energy, creativity and confidence giving way to doubt, exhaustion and collapse. Past trauma surfaces without warning, disrupting the present and blurring time. Where words fail, the body keeps moving, and the only silence is her heartbeat. The piece reveals the inner conflict and pressure of these rapid changes, showing how they affect both mind and body. This is a non-linear journey through instability, survival and the ongoing effort to find balance and healing.”
Where: Lower Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry St
When: 24-29 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/july-15th-to
What can you tell us about your show? What is it about and where did the idea come from?Â
July 15th to…Â is a one-woman physical theatre show following Ella, a young artist living with bipolar disorder. Through movement and autobiographical storytelling, audiences are invited into her inner world. They experience the emotional highs and lows she navigates, the way her mind shapes the world around her, and the constant struggle of trying to hold onto stability when it can disappear without warning.
The idea came from a very personal place. Over the years, I’ve realised that many people know the term “bipolar disorder”, but very few understand what it actually feels like to live with it. Often, people only notice those living with bipolar disorder at the extremes. They see the crisis, the breakdown, the mania. I wanted to create a piece that shows the human being behind the diagnosis. Not just the sudden mood swings people often associate with bipolar disorder, but the reality of living with it day after day.
Sometimes the most difficult moments aren’t dramatic at all; they can happen during a simple conversation, a walk home, or a quiet moment when nobody else can see what’s happening inside. I remember during our R&D process, someone said something that has stayed with me ever since. They said, “Mental health is something you only really understand when you’ve experienced it yourself.” I remember feeling quite sad when I heard that. Partly because I understood what they meant, but also because I didn’t want that to be true.
That conversation became a big motivation for making this work. I started asking myself: what if theatre could help bridge that gap? What if someone who has never experienced bipolar disorder could leave the theatre feeling a little closer to understanding it, not through facts or explanations, but through empathy?
That’s why I chose physical theatre. There are some experiences that words can’t fully capture. The racing thoughts, the exhaustion, the feeling of being disconnected from yourself, or the effort it takes just to get through an ordinary day. Sometimes the body can tell those stories better than language can.
I didn’t want to make a show that explains bipolar disorder. I wanted to create a space where audiences could experience a small part of what that life feels like from the inside. Because when we understand someone’s daily reality, not just their most visible struggles, that’s where empathy begins.
How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph?Â
July 15th to…Â is a love letter to those trying to survive the nights nobody else sees. It’s for anyone who has ever felt misunderstood, overwhelmed, or alone in their own mind, and for the friends, partners, and family members who want to understand but don’t always know how. Through physical theatre and autobiographical storytelling, the show invites audiences into Ella’s world, revealing not just the crises people notice, but the everyday realities they often miss. I hope audiences leave feeling less alone, more connected, and with a deeper compassion for themselves and the people they love.
Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe? And do you have any moments you particularly remember?Â
Yes, although I think “enjoy” comes with a lot of other emotions as well. It’s exciting, but it’s also nerve-wracking because you’re putting something very personal out into the world and hoping it connects with people.
One thing that has really stayed with me is how supportive other artists have been. Sometimes when you’re making a show, especially an independent one, it can feel like you’re carrying the whole thing on your shoulders. Then someone you’ve never met sends a message saying they can’t wait to see the show, or wishing you luck, and suddenly you don’t feel so alone anymore. Those small moments have meant a lot to me.
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
Honestly, I’m looking forward to meeting audiences.
We’ve spent so much time living with this story in rehearsal rooms, talking about it, questioning it, and shaping it. Now it finally gets to belong to other people as well.
Because the show is rooted in such a personal experience, I’m always moved by the different ways audiences connect to it. Sometimes someone relates directly to Ella, and sometimes they tell me it reminded them of a friend, a sibling, or a partner. Those conversations are probably what I’m looking forward to most.
What’s next for the show?
We’ll be performing at Voila! Festival on 9 November, which we’re really excited about. Beyond that, I’d love for July 15th to… to continue its journey and reach new audiences. Every time we’ve shared the work, someone has told us they felt seen, or that it helped them better understand someone they love. Those conversations mean a lot to me and remind me why we made the show in the first place.
I’m currently hoping to develop a small tour after Edinburgh and Voila!, so if any venues, festivals, or programmers outside London feel the work might resonate with their audiences, I’d love to hear from them. This show began as a very personal story, but it’s grown into something much bigger through the people who connect with it, and I’d love to keep sharing it wherever those conversations can continue.