Jake Mace
Emily Hunter and Gemma Green are part of the creative team from Manchester-based Moonstone Theatre Company, bringing their new writing piece ENOUGH. to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe next week. The show is set in the shadow of the Sarah Everard vigil and the Met Police’s deepening crisis of trust, the show aims to lay bare the cracks in a system built on silence. We caught up with the duo, who both play characters in the show, for a pixelated pint.
You can catch ENOUGH. from August 1st to 8th at theSpace on the Mile – Space 2 from 18:30 (45mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Jake: Hi team, your upcoming show ENOUGH. explores the deepening crisis of trust between police and public in the shadow of the Sarah Everard Vigil. Tell us what inspired the show and about the journey you’ve been on with it so far.
Emily: I wrote ENOUGH. because, honestly, I just couldn’t wrap my head around what happened at the Sarah Everard vigil. You had women standing silently, holding candles, grieving—and the response from the Met Police was so heavy-handed, especially when you think about the fact that Sarah was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by a serving police officer. That contradiction really stayed with me. I couldn’t stop asking: how are women supposed to feel safe? And what do we do when the very people who are meant to protect us are the ones causing harm? I was also really driven on by the language I read in the WhatsApp messages between officers and the findings of Baroness Casey’s review, which spoke about institutionalised misogyny in the force. It was shocking, but sadly, not surprising. That’s where the idea of a young woman joining the Met came from—trying to find her way in the middle of all of this. I threw myself into research, talking to people, listening to stories, and really trying to understand the human side of it all.
When I first wrote the play, I honestly thought it would just be a one-off at Greater Manchester Fringe in 2023. I never imagined it would win Best New Writing or pick up a Standing Ovation nomination at Camden Fringe—it’s been beyond anything I dreamed of. Taking it to Camden felt right because the play is set in North London, so it was like bringing it home. But after Camden, as a team, we realised this isn’t about demonising the police. It’s about asking bigger questions: how do we challenge misogyny, and how do we tackle something as deeply ingrained as institutional sexism—not just in the force, but in wider society? If we could raise the funds, we wanted to give the play one more outing—and where better than the Edinburgh Fringe? It’s the biggest stage for new writing, and now that it’s nearly here, we just can’t wait to share ENOUGH.with new audiences.
Jake: Tell us about what the audience can expect coming into the show, and what they might not expect about the show.
Gemma: Audiences can expect an intimate, fast-paced 45-minute drama set in a black box theatre where they’re right in the heart of the action. The story follows Irie, a young woman navigating the complex world of the Met Police, and the audience experiences the highs and lows of that journey alongside her. It’s intense and sometimes deeply uncomfortable—we give trigger warnings upfront—but it’s not all heavy. There are lighter moments scattered throughout that offer relief and reflect how even in difficult times, people find ways to cope and connect.
What people might not expect is the minimalist feel of the show’s staging. Audiences might come anticipating lots of props or a spectacular set, but instead, we rely on clever sound design and lighting to frame each space and build the atmosphere. The play explores themes of power, silence, misogyny, and the cost of speaking out, all within a stripped-back environment that brings focus firmly to the characters and their story. It’s a layered, human piece that invites audiences to think about the consequences of staying silent and the courage it takes to challenge the status quo.
Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
Emily: I’d like audiences to leave feeling like they’ve watched a quality piece of fringe theatre that really stays with them. The play invites people to ask themselves: What would I do? Where do I stand? Would I speak up if I were in that situation? And beyond that, it sparks a bigger question—what is the answer? How do we challenge and change the systems in society that allow silence and injustice to persist? I hope it encourages reflection and conversation long after the curtain falls. But even if audiences don’t leave pondering all those questions, I hope they feel that they parted with their hard-earned cash to see some quality theatre and leave totally satisfied.
Jake: With Edinburgh Fringe 2025 just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
Gemma: The whole team is buzzing to bring ENOUGH. to Edinburgh! It’s been an incredible journey from Greater Manchester Fringe to Camden, and now we’re stepping onto the biggest stage of all. We can’t wait to see how Edinburgh audiences respond—it’s always exciting to perform in such a vibrant and diverse festival. The energy of the Fringe is something special, and we’re all looking forward to connecting with other artists, sharing stories, and soaking up that creative buzz together.
Emily Hunter: On a more personal note, I’m also really looking forward to taking a little time out to recharge. Although our run isn’t as long as some, eight days is still a big commitment! My family’s from Edinburgh and Fife, so I’ll be catching up with them and hopefully enjoying some refreshing walks down at Cramond Beach. Plus, Riah is desperate to get to Edinburgh Zoo, so we’ve promised to fit that in too! It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable experience—both on and off stage.
Jake: 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?
Emily: If ENOUGH. were a drink, it’d be an espresso martini — dark, rich, and packing a punch that jolts you awake. It’s bold and intense, with layers that surprise you, just like the play. Smooth yet powerful, it leaves a lasting impression long after the last sip — exactly what we hope the show does.
A reminder, you can catch ENOUGH. from August 1st to 8th at theSpace on the Mile – Space 2 from 18:30 (45mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Lamesha Ruddock
Jasmine Silk
