Theatremaker and performer Suzy Crothers is making her Edinburgh Fringe debut this year with the semi-autobiographical play ‘Troubled’, that draws on her own experiences growing up in Belfast during the troubles. Theatre can be such a powerful tool, specifically in coming to terms with the state of the world and 2025 feels like a really important time for this story to head to Edinburgh. Part of the Summerhall programme, I recently had the opportunity to ask the creative some questions about the show and find out why now was the right time to share this important story.
‘Troubled’ is set between 1993 and the present day and focuses on Belfast-based Alice, who is ‘navigating the chaos of her past while trying to build a future’. What inspired you to write this semi-autobiographical piece of theatre?
Seeing the news over the past few years really made me reflect and think about growing up back in Belfast. I started writing to get my thoughts out and those bits of writing began to form a show. I felt a real drive to talk about the past in Northern Ireland, because the ripple effects of that conflict continue today.
You are based between Belfast and Margate, Kent. When you started writing, how did you hope to see the material evolve? Was heading to Edinburgh always part of your goals?
When I started the process I had hoped that I might be able to create a show from the bits of writing that had started to come. Although it’s a solo show, I’ve had a wonderful team of collaborators along the way who have believed in the story. That has been everything to me because I work best in teams. I also wanted to play with form, and I don’t see myself as a ‘writer’ but as a ‘maker’. I wanted the audience to feel cared for and looked after, hence the tea and biscuits, which is very traditional in terms of Irish hospitality.
It has been a dream of mine to come to Edinburgh since 2013, which is when I first came to the festival and fell in love with the buzz of it all. Due to health reasons, that wasn’t possible for me until now, so it feels really fantastic to be in a position where I’m well enough and have my ducks in a row to get this dream realised.
You recently said that ‘stories were how we made sense of a senseless time’. To what extent have you drawn on your own real-life experiences when creating the script?
I’m from a land of storytellers. And I’m so proud of that heritage. Humour in particular was vital in navigating a really dark time. At the time though, it was just ‘what was’ because I didn’t know any other reality. It was only when I came over to London to go to drama school that I realised that not everyone had lived through that chaos.
How have you found balancing the more harrowing themes with comedy?
There’s a specific type of dry wit that Northern Irish people have, a gallows humour if you will. I love this as a tool for navigating darker experiences. Plus nothing is all ‘one thing’, finding humour in the most difficult times is a wonderful trait of us as humans.
What one piece of advice would you give to Alice, who is ‘living through a difficult time and taking steps towards a new peace’?
Just do the Next Right Thing.
The show is part of the Summerhall programme. What is it about this venue that was the right fit for ‘Troubled’?
I love the programming of Summerhall. They choose work that is varied formally and plays with ideas that are ripe for discussion right now. Given the way the world is right now, talking about the impact of conflict feels important. I’m so glad they programmed Troubled. There’s also a really supportive community of artists at the venue who are taking creative risks and I’m proud to be a part of that.
Join Suzy for some storytelling, tea and biscuits at the Edinburgh Fringe
I am so thrilled for Suzy that she can finally make her Edinburgh Fringe debut. With the ever-changing world that we live in, ‘Troubled’ certainly sounds like the kind of show we all need right now. You can catch the play at the Anatomy Lecture Theatre venue at Summerhall from Thursday 31st July to Monday 25th August (not 11th or 18th). Performances start daily at 11:45, with tickets available via the festival’s website.
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Love Kat xxxx
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