Always on
This project successfully funded on 17th June 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Man or Bear - Help fund The Edinburgh Fringe run
Croydon, Greater London, United Kingdom
Aim
Raise funds to bring Man or Bear to the Edinburgh Fringe and launch its national touring life: bold theatre that will get under your skin.
Man or Bear
'Energetic, nuanced, emotive.'
The Big Question
Would you rather be alone with a man or a bear? This viral question is the chilling inspiration behind Man or Bear, a necessary and powerful cultural response to a national crisis. Blending dark comedy, music and physical theatre, the show explores fear, survival and the power of female solidarity. The work gives voice to survivors through complex, funny and contradictory women who unapologetically take up space on stage.
'The metaphor of the bear… was chilling.'
Why this play and why now?
Man or Bear follows three generations of women navigating life in the shadow of male violence. Inspired by the viral question, the 'bear' becomes a surreal embodiment of the threat many women carry from girlhood. This production is a direct response to the national emergency of violence against women and girls (declared by the National Police Chiefs’ Council in July 2024), holding space for both the absurdity and the seriousness of women's experience.
The work has been developed through workshops with women, girls and survivors of domestic abuse, ensuring these voices are central. We are supported by organisations like SafeLives, who noted that 'Sharing stories – real or fictitious – prompts those who may feel scared, ashamed or lost to come forward and realise they are not alone.'
'I was particularly struck by the ending. It really brought out how domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) can be masked by so many different factors.' — Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Coordinator, Croydon Council
Edinburgh Fringe
We have secured a full, prestigious run at Summerhall for the Edinburgh Fringe 2026 - the single most important platform for new theatre. This is our unmissable shot to present the first full staging of the show and connect with press, industry leaders, and future touring partners to launch Man or Bear onto the national stage.
‘Endearing, accessible, funny and the characters are superb.’ - Tom Forster, Summerhall Programmer
Man or Bear is built for longevity. We already have tour dates planned in Norwich, Colchester, Croydon and Medway and are working towards a wider tour and potential London run in 2027.
Why we need your support
As independent artists, we are facing a funding gap to bring Man or Bear to the Edinburgh Fringe.
We have already secured £43,672 towards the project, including:
- £29,672 from Arts Council England
- £5,000 from tour guarantees, previews and splits
- An estimated £9,000 in Edinburgh box office (based on 60% capacity)
However, with a total budget of £58,000, there is still a significant shortfall.
We are currently raising £6,500 through this crowdfunder to directly support the Edinburgh run and ensure the show can be presented at the scale it was designed. If we reach this target, the Edinburgh run can go ahead at full scale.
We are continuing to secure additional support through small grants and partnerships but this £6,500 is a crucial part of making the Fringe run possible.
What your support will make possible
Your support will directly contribute to:
- Creative team fees
Paying our three actors and creative team fairly throughout the Fringe run - PR and marketing
Securing reviews, press coverage and visibility to reach audiences and industry - Essential Fringe costs
Including venue fees, accommodation and final production elements - Outreach and engagement
Supporting post-show conversations and continuing our work with women and survivors
About us
Created by Katie Hurley (performer, producer, Funny Women finalist) and Sarah Hehir (award-winning playwright and writer on The Archers), this project builds on over a decade of collaboration.
Our previous show Zero Down was the top-grossing production at Theatre503 in 2015 and went on to receive strong critical response at the Edinburgh Fringe 2016. At that point, we lacked the resources, connections and knowledge to sustain that momentum.
Since then, we’ve built our careers across theatre, TV, radio and live performance. Now we’re coming back together with more experience, more confidence and a stronger artistic voice.
Man or Bear has been researched, developed and road-tested in Croydon and Medway with the support of a brilliant group of women and girls, alongside an experienced and passionate creative team.
Please support us
‘A poignant and thought-provoking experience.’
We’re at a crucial moment with this project.
With your support, we can bring Man or Bear to the Edinburgh Fringe at full scale and give it the platform it needs to grow beyond it.
If you can donate, share or spread the word, you’re helping this show reach the audiences it was made for.
Thank you ❤️
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made