Jake Mace
Fenia Gianni’s upcoming EdFringe twisting and darkly comedic theatre piece Her Raving Mind is described as a Greco-British rave tragicomedy, that focus on unravelling the complex mind of an abuse survivor. The show follows a character called EL through a series of weekly therapy sessions that unpack her clubbing past, secrets, and dark memories. We caught up with Fenia for a pixelated pint to find out more about what inspired the show.
You can catch Her Raving Mind from July 31st to August 24th (not the 12th) at Just Up The Road at Just the Tonic at The Caves from 13:35 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Jake: Hi Fenia! Your upcoming show Her Raving Mind explores cathartic flashbacks and visceral rave-clubbing deliriums of a character called EL. Tell us about her and what inspired the show.
Fenia: Hi Jake! Oh EL! Yes, EL is Elektra—kind of my alter ego. She’s resilient, complex, and a survivor of emotional abuse, always chasing catharsis and freedom. When I was writing the play, EL suddenly appeared out of nowhere, giving me a voice for all the things I couldn’t say—deep secrets, rejecting men despite craving connection, bingeing openly, and speaking my truth. Honestly, I wish I’d been more like her earlier in life. She’s also a raver at heart, expressing herself through dance and delirium—moments of pure freedom, no matter how wild or desperate.
The play was born from dark personal experiences of emotional abuse and bottled-up feelings, but it also echoes stories shared by countless women facing abuse from family, society, or the workplace. It’s about the need to speak up, stand up for yourself, and never again keep your mouth shut! It’s for anyone seeking catharsis—or maybe even a bit of revenge… Yep, there’s a touch of that in the play! 🙂
Jake: You describe this as a Greco-British rave tragicomedy, which is quite the combo, tell us about your process of devising the show.
Fenia: I was writing this play during a really raw, challenging time in my life—literally in the eye of the storm—trying to come to terms with my journey through abuse. It was a shift from fear to what I’d call an “authentic wilderness.” During that tough period, my Greek heritage felt more alive than ever, while my connection to British culture—with its dark, kind of gritty humor about life and survival—became like my sidekick in this new chapter. It just made sense to make a tragicomedy that brings these two worlds together—like my accent, speaking in English but with a Mediterranean twist. The tragic bits were unavoidable; my lead character, EL, pretty much hits all the themes of a Greek tragedy—betrayal, fear, death, love, and catharsis. While using masks and a chorus, these primal storytelling tools from theatre’s roots, really gave the play that haunting, nightmarish vibe I was going for.
And then there’s the dark sarcasm and humor, which fit perfectly with British wit. It’s a key part of the emotional release—letting the audience laugh their way through tough scenes and making heavy moments easier to handle. Honestly, there was no other way to tell this story, and I’ll stop here before I spoil too much!
Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
Fenia: It’s an experience, no doubt! Audience members will sit among us and be pulled into this messed-up, narcissistic world and the disturbed reality it creates—maybe even feel a little gaslighted! They’ll walk in as themselves but might leave with a new perspective—walking in the shoes of an abuse survivor, feeling the trauma, the resilience, the urge for revenge, and those raw moments of liberation. They might even want to dance, let go, and feel the beat—ready to fight injustice!
When they step out… I think they’ll feel lighter, freer, but also a bit puzzled—in the best way. The play has some funky twists that I’m sure they’ll be talking about long after, like “Did you see that? Felt that?” Or like one of our preview audience members said : ‘That was amazingly fucked up!’ (Pardon the language!)
Jake: Tell us what you’re most excited about for EdFringe 2025.
Fenia: What I’m most excited about for EdFringe 2025 is soaking up the incredible energy of the town, feeling the vibrant vibe, and connecting with all the amazing artists there! I can’t wait to dive into the chaos—performing, flyering, and somehow squeezing in as many shows as possible in between. I actually love flyering and chatting with strangers on the street, so I plan to fully embrace that side of the festival!
This is my first time participating as an artist, and I’m beyond thrilled to be part of it. I also look forward to exploring the nightlife—hitting the pubs, dance clubs (if I still have energy!), and, of course, feasting on the incredible street food I read about. It’s an experience I’ve long been dreaming of, and I plan to enjoy every moment—probably with a lot of caffeine!
Jake: If your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
Fenia: Oh, I can answer that immediately—my show would be a dirty, ‘filthy’ martini! It’s salty and hits your palate instantly, just like the play’s most captivating, provocative moments. It’s infused with Mediterranean energy and flavors, reflecting the vibrant chaos of our diverse, wild cast. It’s cold, perfectly stirred, and served in a sleek, minimalistic triangular martini glass—mirroring the clean, sharp staging and the raw emotion of the piece.
But it’s also a New York-style drink, with a dark twist—big city vibes, bold gestures, intense feelings, and an undercurrent of thriller. It’s sharp, rebellious, and a little dangerous—just like the story we’re telling. Oh I love martinis!
A reminder, you can catch Her Raving Mind from July 31st to August 24th (not the 12th) at Just Up The Road at Just the Tonic at The Caves from 13:35 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Image Credit: Steve Ullathorne
