Shay Mace
Stephanie Chu is an independent theatre producer bringing Cannes Script Award Winner Juno Chen’s script July 15th to.. to life at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this coming August. Developed in conversation with the charity Bipolar Scotland, the piece aims to explore the lived experience of those with Bipolar Disorder, weaving together movement, music, and fragmented storytelling. The piece aims to capture the intensity of emotional extremes, where passion, grief, creativity, and collapse collide, in a mind where stability is never guaranteed.
We caught up with Stephanie to unpack the devising process of the piece and the journey the show has been on so far.
You can catch July 15th to… at Lower Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry St on August 24th – 29th from 11:50 (50mins). Tickets are available through theSpaceUK Online Box Office.
Shay: Hi Stephanie – your piece uses physical theatre to explore the lived experience of bipolar disorder. Can you tell us about why you’ve decided to tell this story now and what’s inspired you to bring this story to the stage?
Stephanie: The reason why I chose physical theatre to present the story is because I think our bodies are terrible liars, especially for people who live with bipolar disorder. We can tell people we’re fine, but our bodies always know the truth. Sometimes a breath, a posture, or the way we hold ourselves says much more than words. I also wanted to tell this story now because I still feel there’s a huge gap between how bipolar disorder is perceived and how it is actually lived. People often only notice bipolar disorder at the extremes, they see the mania, they see the breakdown. But they rarely see the ordinary life in between. That’s what I wanted to explore. Sometimes it’s the smallest interactions that carry the most emotional weight.
During our R&D process, someone once said to me, “You only understand mental illness if you’ve experienced it yourself.” I remember feeling quite sad hearing that, because I didn’t want it to be true. I wanted to believe empathy is possible. So this show became my way of inviting audiences into Ella’s world. Not to explain bipolar disorder, but to let people feel a little closer to the experience. And hopefully, when they leave, they’ll understand not only the struggle, but also the resilience, humour, creativity and love that exist alongside it.
Shay: How has the creative process been of putting the show together? Give us an idea of the journey you’ve been on with it so far.
Stephanie: It’s been beautiful, chaotic, emotional, and occasionally held together by coffee and blind optimism. I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with artists who really care about the story we’re telling. One thing I love is that we’ve all become more open with each other because of this process. We’ve had conversations about mental health, grief, family and identity that go far beyond making a show. I think that’s the magic of theatre, you come together to create something, but you also learn more about yourself and each other along the way. And somewhere between movement rehearsals, existential crises and debating where a chair should go, we’ve made something that feels very honest.
Shay: What will be the first thing the audience sees, feels, and hears as they enter the space?
Stephanie: Without giving too much away, I hope the first thing audiences feel is that they’re not simply watching Ella’s story—they’re inside it. The show begins in reality and gradually slips into her inner world, where memories, emotions and thoughts become physical. I want audiences to experience that feeling of asking themselves, “Is this really happening, or is this how she feels it?” But I promise it’s not fifty minutes of despair! There are moments that are funny, awkward and unexpectedly familiar, because life is like that. Sometimes you’re having an existential crisis and wondering if you remembered to buy milk. I hope audiences laugh, feel uncomfortable, recognise themselves, and ultimately feel connected.
Shay: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
Stephanie: I often describe July 15th to… as a love letter to those trying to survive the nights nobody else sees. It’s for anyone who has ever felt misunderstood, overwhelmed or alone in their own thoughts, but it’s also for the friends, partners and family members who want to understand and don’t always know how. More than anything, I hope people leave feeling a little less alone. Maybe they’ll see themselves in Ella, or maybe they’ll think about someone they love. If someone leaves the theatre and sends a message to a friend saying, “Hey, how are you really doing?”, then I think we’ve done something meaningful. And selfishly, I hope they bring that friend back to see the show.
Shay: What journey has the show been on to find itself at EdFringe 2026?
Stephanie: A lot of spreadsheets, a lot of rehearsals, and probably too many voice notes. We’re currently in the middle of rehearsals and we’ll be having a London preview at Playhouse East on 23 July before heading to Edinburgh. Independent theatre is a strange mix of excitement and panic. Everyone involved is working incredibly hard because we genuinely believe in the story we’re telling. Every rehearsal, every conversation and every message of support reminds me why we started this journey. It’s exhausting sometimes, but it’s also such a privilege to bring something so personal to life.
Shay: With Prague Fringe now just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
Stephanie: Honestly, the people. I love that festival atmosphere where everyone is slightly sleep deprived, surviving on coffee and meal deals, and somehow still finding time to support one another. I’m excited to meet fellow artists, watch as much theatre as possible, and have those random conversations that only happen at festivals. There’s something really special about being surrounded by people who are all taking risks because they believe stories matter. That energy is infectious.
Shay: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
Stephanie: I think July 15th to… would probably be a Negroni. It’s bittersweet, a little intense, and maybe not love at first sight—but if you sit with it, you start discovering different layers. It can surprise you. It has warmth, bitterness and sweetness all at once, which feels quite close to life, actually. And just like the show, I hope it stays with people long after they’ve finished it. Hopefully with fewer regrets the next morning.
A reminder, you can catch July 15th to… at Lower Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry St on August 24th – 29th from 11:50 (50mins). Tickets are available through theSpaceUK Online Box Office.
Image Credit: Xinyang Han
