Sam Ipema’s Dear Annie, I Hate You will make its London debut at the Riverside Studios following its acclaimed, sell-out run at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Opening on Wednesday, May 7 for a limited four-week run, it is based on the true story of writer-performer Ipema, who, on the discovery of a brain aneurysm, was told she might be dying at the age of 20.
The show then takes the audience on a journey from Sam’s early childhood to her potentially terminal diagnosis. From spring break right up to a live brain surgery, this “honest and darkly funny” exploration of navigating the world after a life-changing moment which forces Sam to reconsider what she holds dear.
On stage, Sam’s brain aneurysm takes the form of ‘Annie’ – the straight-talking stream of consciousness she keeps shielded from the world. Using immersive sound design by Dan Balfour, the staging will echo the liminal space of the brain. as multimedia elements are used to depict Sam’s experience in a visceral way.
Based on her lived experiences, Sam’s real family appear as characters in recorded videos, with a special focus on Micah, her brother with Down’s syndrome as Dear Annie, I Hate You looks to pay homage to the different types of disabilities that individuals live with.
Ipema stars as Sam, with Eleanor House (The Secret Life of Bees) as Annie.
The creative team includes director and dramaturg James Meteyard (Electrolyte), Balfour (Operation Mincemeat) and set & lighting designer Hugo Dodsworth (Mariupol). Movement is directed by Jade Hackett (Romeo & Juliet), with co-video designers Dan Light (Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon) and Douglas Coghlan (Caceroleo).
Dear Annie, I Hate You is brought to life by Wild Geese Productions in association with HFH Productions, the production is staged in partnership with Headway East London and Headway West London, two charities that support individuals affected by, and living with, brain injuries.
It runs from Wednesday, May 7 – Sunday, June 1. Tickets: Dear Annie, I Hate You