The Camden Fringe is almost upon us, providing one of the best times in the capital to get into Fringe theatre, and the stories it can tell. To get prepared for the festival, Read About Stuff is running a ‘Five From The Fringe’ interview series, where creative teams answer five questions about their upcoming Festival shows.
In this interview, I chat to Martia Dimmer about their new show Please Don’t Die?
Can you tell me a little about your show and what audiences can expect?
Please Don’t Die? is a dark comedy about grief, death anxiety and the things we tell ourselves to avoid saying goodbye. It follows Evie, a trainee death doula who is convinced that music, glitter and humour can make dying less frightening. As she meets people facing the end of their lives, she’s forced to confront the one death she has never truly faced. Audiences can expect a funny, heartfelt and ultimately honest exploration of loss, with live music, absurd humour and moments of quiet reflection.
What drew you to this specific story, and why does it belong at the Camden Fringe?
I’ve always been curious about the way people avoid talking about death, despite it being something we all experience. I wanted to explore what happens when someone uses imagination and humour to protect themselves from unbearable grief, and what it takes to finally let those defences go. Camden Fringe is the perfect place for work that takes creative risks, mixes comedy with emotional depth and invites audiences into conversations that might otherwise feel difficult to have.
What has been the biggest challenge in bringing this production to life?
The biggest challenge has been balancing comedy with the emotional reality of the subject matter. The humour comes from Evie’s coping mechanisms rather than making light of death itself, so it’s been important to make sure the comedy always serves the story. As a solo performer, another challenge has been creating a world full of different characters while keeping the audience emotionally connected to Evie’s journey.
How does the design of your show (set, sound, or lighting) impact the presentation of your story?
The design is intentionally simple and imaginative. The café setting, stuffed cats and live music create a playful world that reflects Evie’s attempts to brighten difficult moments. As the play progresses, the lighting allows the emotional truth and childhood flashbacks to come into focus. Music plays a particularly important role, acting as both a source of comfort and a way of showing how Evie tries to communicate when words fail her.
If you could sum up the show in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?
Being there.
At its heart, the play is about discovering that you don’t need the perfect words, the perfect song or the perfect ending. Sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do is simply be present with someone, even when there’s nothing you can do to change what’s happening.
Please Don’t Die? runs at Camden People’s Theatre on 9 – 10 August. Tickets are available here: https://camdenfringe.com/events/please-dont-die/
