EDINBURGH 2023: NUCLEAR CHILDREN Q&A

BWW catches up with writer Ezra England to chat about bringing Nuclear Children to the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Nuclear Children.

It’s a one-person comedy about mental health, a submarine accident and a melon. It follows Isla, a young adult who is trying to navigate the loss of her father whilst studying at university. It’s about grief, friendship, new beginnings and is full of dark humour and sass. 

What was the inspiration behind writing it?

For me it was a way of processing some of my own experiences with both mental health and complicated familial relationships; initially it started as a monologue I’d use for drama school auditions, but in lockdown I wanted to make something I could share when eventually things started opening again, so developed it into a full piece. I knew I wanted it to be a comedy, because that was something that had massively helped me cope. 

Why did you feel this was an important story to tell?

No shade to the NHS, I think a lot of people really struggle in this country with being able to access support and services for mental health and it can be incredibly tough. I think it’s important we celebrate stories that navigate themes like this in new and funny ways, because it’s unifying and comforting to know you aren’t alone. Humour is such a good vessel for healing- but also a coping mechanism that can be both great and harmful. I think it’s important to find a balance in perspective, and this play deals with someone trying to find that. 

How has the show been received so far?

Really well! It’s been great- we’ve just had three sold out previews in London and it’s been amazing to see how different people have reacted to it and taken it in. I’m relieved people find it funny and have connected with it- it’s lovely making people laugh. 

What would you like audiences to take away from it?

I think just that mental health and grief are complex beasts and don’t always present in obvious ways. Hopefully it’s full of heart and the audience feel like they’ve been on a journey- like they’ve escaped the outside world for an hour and been immersed in someone else’s.

Tickets are available here: 

Photo credit: Jimi Drosinos

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