It's 1993. Belfast is burning, and Mum won't let Alice go to Funderland. Instead, they will eat Chinese takeaway and watch Robin Hood- Prince of Thieves.
In 2018, Alice meets Tim, and finally falls in love. But can Alice escape a childhood shaped by conflict, or will everything blow up in her face?
''An excitingly honest depiction of the power of human connection, told with daring vulnerability'' - Haley McGee (Olivier Award Nominee 2022, Fringe First winner 2022 - Age is a Feeling).
(Photo - Cemanthe McKenzie)
Suzy is bringing Troubled, a raw and heartfelt one-woman show, to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival—and we need your help to get there! This 60-minute solo performance blends storytelling, projection, and audience interaction to explore love, loss, and the echoes of intergenerational trauma.
Set between Belfast and London, Troubled follows Alice— a ‘Troubles’ kid —navigating the chaos of her past while trying to build a future. As the voices in her head battle it out over tea and biscuits, she finds herself torn between memory and possibility, between fear and connection. With warmth, humour, and unflinching honesty, Troubled invites audiences into Alice’s world, where the past lingers and healing feels just out of reach.
Why the Fringe?
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the perfect place to share Troubled with the world. It’s a festival known for powerful, daring storytelling, and bringing this show there will help open up conversations about trauma, resilience, and human connection. But getting a show to the Fringe takes resources—and that’s where you come in!
(Photo: Georgia Hudson)
Why is Troubled Important?
A note from Suzy Crothers -
Troubled is a deeply personal piece, inspired by my own experiences growing up in Belfast during the 80s/ 90s and my lifelong challenges with mental health, including a diagnosis of BPD. Revisiting these themes made me reflect on intergenerational trauma and its lasting impact on mental well-being.
Storytelling has always been central to my life and my recovery. I’ve seen first hand how powerful it can be—whether that is writing our own story, becoming conscious of the stories that loop in our mind, or being able to connect through stories—to watch a story and say, ‘Yes, that’s me! I felt like that too.’ Troubled is my way of exploring how stories shape us and, more importantly, how they can help us heal.
Troubled is delivered with support from mental health charity Mind, who I'm working with as part of their 30 for 30 Campaign, sparking conversations about mental health. In conjunction with theatremaker and facilitator Annie Sutton, we are also running a series of Creative Wellbeing Workshops across the country, aimed at teaching people tools that can help them connect to themselves, and tell their own story.
(Photo Cemanthe McKenzie)
Development Journey
This work has been developed through a multi-stage R&D process, testing the narrative, interaction and message of the piece with different groups including London Irish Centre's Community Cafe Cohort, funded by Arts Council England.
We would like to thank our past supporters and collaborators that got us to this stage, including The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, The Gulbenkian and 1 Degree East, Power of Women- Thanet, Dover Arts Development, Open School East, Camden People's Theatre, Graeae and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Patrick Handley and Arts Education Exchange.
Feedback from 'work in progress' performances
Feedback from our WIP performances has been overwhelmingly positive. The impact of Troubled has been far reaching and it is rare to find work that connects with so many demographics and communities in such a meaningful way.
Performances took place at London Irish Centre, Tom Thumb Theatre (for POW Festival), The Beaney, Camden People's Theatre, Gulbenkian (for 1 Degree East SXSE Festival).
- When asked on a scale of 1-5 'how much did you enjoy the show', 100% of audiences answered 5.
- ''It was absolutely phenomenal, the way you captured an incredibly sensitive time in Irish history is testament to you as a performer and as an artist'' - Maria Archer, Community programmes manager at London Irish Centre.
- ''Unexpectedly brilliant, gripping''
- ''Dynamite''
- ''Very rich show, found the discussion of the Troubles very moving''
- ''Superbly written and acted''
Why Your Support Matters
Right now, it's tougher than ever to secure funding to support work that takes risks and amplifies voices outside the mainstream. Yet, as global conflict echoes around the world, it is more important than ever to spark conversation about the long-term impact of intergenerational conflict on mental health.
Suzy has overcome significant challenges and continues to advocate for mental health. She is grateful for the support that allows her to share this important conversation within a creative process that prioritizes care and wellbeing for both the audience and the creative team.
Where will your money go?
The total cost of taking the show to Edinburgh is £18410, we are seeking funds of £11910.
Your contribution will help us to fund:
- Venue costs
- Marketing, publicity and advertising
- Print costs
- Tech and operator fees
- Creative team fees
- Travel
- Accommodation
Any donation, of any size, would be so gratefully appreciated. We are so grateful to our supporters and have created a list of reward tiers as a means of thanks.
Team
SUZY CROTHERS (Lead Artist)
Suzy makes massive hearted multidisciplinary work that illuminates unheard stories. She makes shows for 'Auntie Mary' who sits in the cheapest seat and comes to hear a cracking story unfold. Her work explores the clash between reality, illusion and delusion.As a solo maker, Suzy trained with Bryony Kimmings and Haley McGee. She holds a BA in Acting (East 15). She was shortlisted for The Abbey Begins workshop at The National Theatre of Ireland and Pintsized Octoberfest Playwriting competition at The Bunker (2019). With director training under Di Trevis, Suzy has directed other people’s work on the London fringe and worked with writers like Brad Birch, Charlie Josephine, Izzy Tennyson, Rabiah Hussain, and Harriet Madeley. Her writing has been performed at venues such as Camden People's Theatre, The Pleasance, The Arcola, The Spoken Space, Sala de Teatro- Madrid and The Mac, Belfast. She is an invited member of the Lincoln Centre Directors Lab NYC, Young Vic Springboard Director Group, Tamasha Developing Writer Group. As an actor, favourite jobs included working for BBC Radio, Lyric- Belfast, and playing the Manchester Lowry.
AMIE BURNS WALKER (Director) Amie is an actor turned director (credits include RSC, BBC). Her performance background led her on to becoming one of the creators of the UK’s longest running immersive theatre show ‘The Great Gatsby’. Amie has been part of Immersive Gatsby's creative team for the past 5 years, directing the West End Transfer and Korean Production. Amie previously directed ‘Dr Strangelove’ for Secret Cinema and was also a co -founder of The Immersive Ensemble, who are renowned for creating the groundbreaking show 'The Drop Off'. She has just directed The Wolves at The Door, co-production between Oran Mor (A Play A Pie and A Pint and The Traverse). www.amieburnswalker.com
RACHEAL HALLIWELL (Producer) Rachael is a Producer, Playwright, Director and Mentor specialising in epic, transformative theatre and as co-creative director of ‘All Points North’ she champions Women’s voices. Her producing partners include Leeds Playhouse, Park Theatre & Sheffield Theatres. Rachael is an Associate Artist of Elysium Theatre and Harrogate Theatre. Rachael was part of the 2023 Bank Cohort at Sheffield Theatre where she continues to be a Supported Artist. www.rachaelhalliwell.com
NANCY KETTLE (Movement Director) Nancy is a Movement Director, Choreographer, Theatre Maker and Teacher with an expansive skill set and a commitment to finding new and potent forms of physical expression. She is an Associate Artist at the Mercury Theatre, where she is currently developing a piece of Dance Theatre entitled Dear NeverLand - inspired by J.M Barrie's Peter Pan. She has worked on a mix of musicals (Our House- Queens Hornchurch, I Capture the Castle – Watford palace/ Bolton Octagon), plays and films. Nancy is a teaching associate at RADA.
ADAM FOSTER (Dramaturgy)
As a playwright, Adam has had work performed at numerous venues including South Hill Park Arts Centre, New Wimbledon Studio, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Exeter Phoenix, the Northcott Theatre and at the Edinburgh Fringe. His play, Long Short story, was recently produced at the Pleasance Islington. His play Wood, was a smash hit at the Vault Festival in 2019 and transferred to the Omnibus Theatre, Clapham.
@adzyfoster
CAROLINE HORTON (Dramaturgy)
Caroline is a celebrated writer/ performer and mentor who also mentors other artists. Olivier nominee 2013, The Stage award for excellence - 2019, 2010, the Mental Health Fringe Award (presented by The Scotsman) 2019, plus several other awards and nominations.
RACHEL SAMPLEY (Lighting)
Rachel is a London based lighting and video designer. Her work includes dance, theatre, music, and sometimes all of it at once. She is driven by a love of visual storytelling, and this is at the heart of her design process.
She has a background in accessible theatre and doesn't understand why there isn't more of it. She makes creative captions for many projects and frequently collaborates with the DH Ensemble (The Deaf and Hearing Ensemble).
She has extensive experience in immersive theatre and loves putting on shows in unusual locations. As such, she often makes bespoke lighting sources and is intrigued by building unexpected things. She has a BFA in Theatre Design & Technology from The University of the Arts (Philadelphia, PA) and an MA in Advanced Theatre Practice from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
ED HEATON (Sound)
Ed is a music producer, mix engineer and songwriter working with artists across genre. He is director of publishing company 4 & North independent label SUBTXT He has worked as A&R for Saint In The City Records and Reimagine Records and he created music that has been synced on BBC, ITV, CBS and across Europe and works as a sound designer and composer for Theatre.
LAURA ‘BETTY’ HAYNES (Stage Manager)
Creative Events Producer and Co-Director of Twisted Time Machine, producing live and digital events as well as technical, live stream and video production for clubs, festivals, private parties and corporate clients around the world, specialising in interactive audience activations.
Freelance Stage Manager touring with circus, theatre and dance productions across the UK and Europe. Laura has worked with Sadlers Wells, The Yard Theatre, Ockham’s Razor, Punchdrunk, Arcola and YouMeBumBumTrain among others. Freelance Performer, Dancer, Circus Artist and Host. Lover of immersive and experiential work with strong political, social or environmental messages.
ROISIN GALLAGHER (Outside eye)
Roisin is an actor, theatremaker who works between stage and screen. She is a twice IFTA nominated and once BAFTA nominated performer.
ALICE DUNHAM (Access support)
Alice is a theatre maker, facilitator and actor with a background in physical theatre and movement. With a passion for collaborating with communities and weaving narratives that hold genuine significance, Alice believes art in the broadest term allows space for exploration, play and discovery.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. SEE YOU IN AUGUST!