We are enthusiastic theatre makers. Setting up our own theatre company has been a challenge but a dream come true. The opportunity to go to the fringe is incredibly valuable to us: finally, we can go out into the world and show our work to audiences beyond Exeter. Unfortunately, the Fringe is becoming increasingly inaccessible. Accommodation prices are rising, making it difficult for young emerging artists to afford to go. After all, the Fringe was born from exactly these artists to come together in a welcoming environment to celebrate each other's work. The festival can also be a huge kickstarter for a successful career – household names such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) were discovered there.
Most importantly, it is a place without any kind of censorship. Taboo topics can not only be expressed in an artistic way, but they can spark widespread conversations. We want to advocate for mental health, and in SOS BRN especially, men's mental health. It is a topic that is yet to be addressed in mainstream media, which is why we would like to take it to the Edinburgh stage.