Echo has a broken heart. A gutted-from-the-inside, cut-off-your-toes broken heart. His sister is a phone call away, but he opts for some Classical* revenge — by kidnapping his ex boyfriend’s dog. Play Dead looks at addiction as a love language and the inexplicable drive to melt into the person you love.
*feral
PERFORMANCE HISTORY
Underbelly Edinburgh Fringe Program / August 2026
Camden People’s Theatre Fringe Preview / July 2026 Playhouse East / November 2025 The Horse Hospital / October 2025 Theatre Deli R&D / April 2025
Written by Bailey Edwards / Directed and developed by Mia Hull / Performed by Bailey Edwards and Sylvie Field
Developed with Amber Anderson, Annalisa Plumb, Simone Sklan & Joshua Herberg
Produced by Sophie Ignatieff / Sound Design by Ellie Isherwood
‘Gloriously knotted threads… very rewarding both intellectually and emotionally.’
★ ★ ★ ★ - The Scotsman
‘Following its acclaimed London run, Play Dead plays at the Edinburgh with all the same raw intensity that made it such a compelling experience the first time around… As a performer, Edwards is utterly captivating.’ ★ ★ ★ ★ - Theatre Weekly
‘Masterfully composed of intelligent writing, exceptional acting and atmospheric sound design… You get the sense that no matter the material, [Edwards] could make it compelling. Lucky for us the material is already compelling enough.’
★ ★ ★ ★ - Binge Fringe
‘The writing is absolutely superb… Edwards is a phenomenal actor… [Sylvie Field] is brilliant… Mia Hull serves fantastically as the director… All the elements blend together to create something truly wondrous.’
★ ★ ★ ★ ½ - A Youngish Perspective
‘Inventively staged, thoroughly gripping... a truly haunting and exciting hour of theatre.’
★ ★ ★ ★ - North West End UK
‘Fearless, funny and multisensory... Play Dead peels back the layers beneath the surface with humour and care, deftly showing how stories immortalised in myth are interwoven with our own lives.’ ★ ★ ★ ★ - Broadway Baby
