Our Story
In January 2024 Aimee and Francesca met up for dinner and drinks. They got to talking about their love for theatre, past projects they had shared (all those years ago!) and their career goals. Both women shared their dream to take a play to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and they decided to go for it!
It was important to both of them that the play was relevant and had themes they both felt passionate about. That’s how they landed on the important topic of men’s mental health and the stigma that still surrounds it.
Fast forward a few months and we had a cast: Brandon, Jason and Miles! We got together for rehearsals and started improvising different scenarios around men’s mental health. Aimee wrote scenes from our rehearsals and in October 2024 we had a full draft.
Our Synopsis
“Friends are the family you choose”.
But where do you turn when family and friends aren’t enough? In a society where men’s mental health is still so far from the forefront, what happens when their pain becomes voiceless?
Bonded by the missing pieces of their upbringing, best mates James and Lewis are each other’s support. But when a letter is found and a decades-old truth is exposed, can their brotherhood survive?
Is it possible that no matter how different our way of life or the struggles we face may seem - we might be, ultimately, the same?
Our Ask
In December 2024 we submitted our application for the Fringe and kept our fingers crossed! And in January 2025 our dream turned into reality when we found out we had been accepted!
So now, we need your help. Taking your own play to the Edinburgh Fringe has many costs attached to it. For example:
- Venue Hire
- Accommodation for artists
- Registration Fees
- Rehearsal Space
- Fees for Actors and Creatives
- Travel
We can’t do this without you, our community. We feel so strongly about the message we are sharing and the conversations we are starting, we have to get this play out there!
Our Team
One of the best things about our project is the people behind it!
Aimee Samara: Playwright/Actor
Francesca Di Cesare: Director & Dramaturg
Bradey Fallon: Producer
Michael Alexander Gibbs: Composer
Jason Avlonitis: Actor
Miles Dunkley: Actor
Brandon Kimaryo: Actor