EL is not well. Her weekly therapy sessions reveal more than she expected. As she shares her story, secrets and dark memories surface through a muddle of cathartic flashbacks and visceral ‘rave-clubbing deliriums’ played out in her mind. In these frantic moments, all EL can do is dance. The fateful journey of a tormented woman confronting the haunting shadows of narcissistic abuse amidst a disturbed reality and psychotic breakdowns. But as the story unfolds, does a new, unsettling truth emerge? A Greco-British rave tragicomedy unravelling the complex mind of an abuse survivor.
Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show/event/performance is?
Certainly! HER RAVING MIND is a genre-defying production that combines dark humour, psychological thriller, and drama. It pulls the audience into a distorted world of narcissism and emotional manipulation, utilising rave music, a mind-playing light design, and dynamic physical movement to create a visceral experience. As audience members, you are invited to become insiders into this world of abuse—feeling firsthand the effects of gaslighting, emotional neglect, stonewalling, and the chaos of manipulation—allowing you to truly understand what it’s like to be an emotional abuse victim. The show is intentionally mad, chaotic—in the best way—and infused with dark humour, often provoking laughter in moments that maybe you shouldn’t be laughing at… Oops!
Narratively, the story follows EL (ELEKTRA), a deliberately chosen name that evokes the strength and tragedy of Sophocles’ Electra. Inspired by the ancient Greco-British tragicomedy format, the play weaves elements of tragedy—love, death, revenge, liberation—with raw, witty British humour. It is a fresh and innovative approach to exploring trauma and emotional abuse, frequently breaking the fourth wall to relate directly to the audience and invite you to put yourself in EL’s shoes. By embracing the disturbance of reality, the production reveals how such chaos impacts both the characters and viewers, providing a provocative glimpse into the madness of narcissism and emotional dysfunction. Our aim is that the audience will leave with a new perspective on emotional abuse. As one audience member said during our Brighton Fringe preview this past May, “That is amazingly fucked up!” — Pardon the language 🙂
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
I absolutely love our team! HER RAVING MIND has been a deeply collaborative process involving a diverse group of passionate artists committed to creating a visceral and transformative experience. We’re all thrilled to be bringing this production to Edinburgh for its premiere. I am the Artistic Director of triada theatre company, and I’ve written, directed, and have the lead role in the play – originally from Athens, Greece, in this show more than ever, I found an opportunity to embrace my Greek theatrical roots and cultural heritage. Gabriel Magill, our Irish lighting and sound designer, brings years of experience creating immersive, surreal shows. Working alongside my ideas, he crafted a story designed to transport audiences “somewhere else.” He’s also a writer and performer himself! Our French music designer, Julien Beuriot, introduced me to powerful music, and together we created a wild, rave-inspired dark, soundtrack that, despite the intense storytelling, raises energy and invites audiences to dance—”dance through the chaos.“
The rest of the cast is just remarkable. Kat De Leiros, working with us for the first time, brings maturity, a wealth of life experience as a world traveller, and a touch of American flair. Edward Garcia, a talented Filipino-British performer—truly a force of nature—brings his heritage and vibrant energy into three roles, perfectly fitting the chaotic story we’ve built. We purposefully assembled this multiethnic team to reflect our core values: countering the marginalisation of artists based on race, ethnicity, immigration status, age, gender, and disability. We believe diversity is essential for authentic storytelling and social change.
The play originated from my own autobiographical writing—at the time, I was in the eye of the storm of an emotionally abusive relationship. The process was entirely intuitive; it gave me the voice I’d been searching for—a space for catharsis and transformation. I also interviewed women who had experienced emotional abuse – translating those stories onto stage was so powerful and challenging! What made it truly liberating and innovative was blending reality with hallucination on stage. It allowed me to let go as a director and storyteller, to get really mad (!), and to abandon all conventional structure—delving into the raw, primal core of theatre with plot twists, disturbed senses of time, and intense moments of true belonging and liberation. Yes, creating this piece was a cathartic experience; I call it a ‘wild-heart’ journey.
How does it feel coming to the Fringe?
Well, as I mentioned, this is our first time at the Edinburgh Fringe! We have this incredible high, and our entire team shares that energy and excitement. We’ve done UK fringes and festivals before, but nothing compares to Edinburgh. Having been there as an audience member, I cannot wait to come as an artist—especially to have my first full show performed in this iconic space! It’s uniquely empowering, and I’m eager to engage with the amazing Fringe audiences and bring this story to life.
We’re all very excited! We especially look forward to meeting people—our audiences, other artists and performers—and just letting go, to be honest. Artistically, we’re thrilled to be performing at Just The Tonic at the Caves, one of the best spaces for our visceral, dark, rave-inspired production. But beyond the stage, we want to immerse ourselves in the vibrant arts scene—seeing other shows, experiencing the powerful theatre Edinburgh is known for, and soaking in this creative city.
And of course, we’re excited to explore, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, take walks around Edinburgh, and have a month of artistic liberation and joy. That, for me, is the best! Going to the Athens of the North, embracing Scottish culture, and connecting with so many like-minded people is truly a dream come true—an absolute highlight in my life so far.
With shows from all over the world at the Fringe, what sets yours apart?
What truly sets HER RAVING MIND apart at the Fringe is our “artistically disturbed-experimental approach” to storytelling. We don’t just present a narrative; we plunge audiences into a whirlwind of fragmented storytelling, pulsating music, and dynamic dance—creating an
immersive experience that explores the depths of narcissism and its profound impact on people’s lives.
As I mentioned before, our show combines the gravitas of Greek tragedy with the cheeky, irreverent flair of British wit and dark humor. But it also has a cinematic quality. I’ve drawn inspiration from directors like Darren Aronofsky and his dark/twisted surrealism, the absurd storytelling of Ionesco, Tarantino’s visceral style, and Krzysztof Kieślowski’s breathtaking moments. I’ve tried to blend these influences into this production, resulting in a piece that unapologetically pushes boundaries and breaks through conventional storytelling to challenge and engage audiences in equal measure.
By disrupting the “theatrical norm,” we aim to ignite a blaze of social impact—encouraging viewers to examine their perceptions and experiences. It’s a liberating, joyful chaos designed to dazzle and disorient you just enough—leave you a little “messed up” in the best way—and ultimately inspire reflection on deeper themes of emotional connection and human resilience.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
We would love for the audience to connect with us amidst this storm of storytelling. Our hope is for them to gain a deeper understanding of the journey of emotional abuse – how do people go from being mentally healthy to mentally ill? We want to emphasise that abuse isn’t always physical; emotional abuse can be equally devastating. Trauma needs to be acknowledged, and as a community, we can work together to support and help those affected.
Most importantly, we want our audience members to leave feeling a connection to our story, having experienced some level of catharsis and emotional release. I mean, yes, it’s a messy, wild world we’re creating in 60 minutes. We want our audience to dance if they want to—using movement and also laughter to emotionally release those dark moments, facilitating ‘catharsis’—the emotional cleansing that all tragedies and dark comedies aim to evoke. To laugh with us, cry with us, dance with us, and feel the music deep in their soul. We’d also love for them to leave feeling slightly “confused” if I may say J there are some major plot twists designed to provoke thought and reflection on their own lives. Questions like, “What is freedom really?” and “What does it mean to be free?” are at the heart of this piece. We want them to feel liberated, in a wild, almost mad way… to genuinely feel free. Question who they are? Look in the mirror!
Your Ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t…?
This play is for everyone. It explores vital topics that affect us all, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, gender identity, or disability. Our ideal audience includes young adults (not children), mature viewers, and older generations—whether healthy or navigating physical or mental health challenges. It’s also a play for those who have experienced trauma of any kind. We invite you to come and ‘breathe’ with us, to connect with the actors through dark, sometimes absurdly funny stories that you might relate to—delivered through humour and music, creating a space for reflection, and even catharsis.
In essence, the audience watching is all of us—collectively experiencing the inside world of an abuse survivor and responding in a way that promotes positive change. We aim to challenge
stigma, foster inclusivity, and encourage support within the community. Ultimately, we believe we are all connected—one world—reacting as one towards understanding, empathy, and transformation.
It’s an intense month, so where you’re able, how do you plan to relax, and are there any other shows you intend to see or want to recommend?
Yes, it’s going to be intense—and I love every minute of it! I’m really looking forward to taking those moments to breathe, catch other shows, and immerse myself in the festival vibe. Meeting friends, both performers and non-performers, and making new connections is a must. I might stay out a little late now and then—there’s something magical about those late nights when everyone’s buzzing and ideas are flowing. And of course, I’ll indulge in the food scene, maybe try some local specialities, and definitely sample a bit of Scottish whiskey—just to say I did it! (Not a big drinker myself, but hey, we’re in Scotland!)
I’ll also prioritise staying active—probably find a yoga studio or a class to really let go and unwind, even if just for an hour. Any suggestions? 🙂 The energy of the play will keep me moving, but I think a little mindful stretching will help balance it all.
My main goal is to see lots of shows—especially dark comedies, which are a favorite of mine. I’m hoping to snag tickets for Kieran Hodgson’s work at Pleasance, known for his satirical brilliance, and also catch “Hot Mess,” which tackles climate change and the environment. Plus, I want to support friends like Tracey Yarad and her emotional powerhouse All These Pretty Things. I honestly can’t wait to soak it all in and be part of the madness!
In your ideal world, how can we improve the Fringe, performance, and the industry?
I think the Fringe is rapidly evolving and remains the top festival globally, with its inclusivity, diversity, and international spirit. In these challenging times—marked by war, abuse, and ongoing struggles for freedom of speech—it’s more important than ever to amplify voices from marginalised artists. We need space in the industry for those who don’t often get the opportunity to be seen or to express themselves, especially on topics that are still heavily stigmatised, like eating disorders, obesity, mental health, domestic violence, and LGBTQ+ issues.
Additionally, I’d love to see more opportunities for immigrant artists—more roles for foreign actors, diverse accents and ideas, and breakthroughs in experimental storytelling that mix genres and push creative boundaries. The Fringe holds a unique power to influence global thought, so increased funding for these smaller, diverse productions would be a vital step. Supporting and amplifying these voices, especially now, could help foster understanding, challenge injustice, and promote freedom of expression worldwide. I believe the Fringe is the place where that magic can happen. That’s what I’m here for—and that’s what I hope we all keep fighting for.
Her Raving Mind runs at Venue 88: Just The Tonic Caves Just Up The Road
Runs: July 30th – August 24th
Photo credit: Steve Ullathorne
Interested in being featured on our Have a Gander page? With many previews and Q&As lined up, we’re always happy to chat about including your show in future articles. Please do get in touch through the contact page to feature in an upcoming ‘Have A Gander’