Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#59): Hannah Caplan, THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME

8 Jul

Conducted by Emmie for Theatre and Tonic

As anticipation builds for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, we’re catching up with a range of exciting creatives preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we delve into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect. Today, we’re joined by Hannah Caplan to chat about their show, This Is Not About Me.

Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?

THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME. is a meta-theatrical, non-linear rom-com/ psychological thriller. It follows a self-destructive writer who struggles to construct a play that unfurls the secrets of her broken friendship. But as passion blurs into obsession she loses grip on the narrative.

It was inspired by Annie Hall (1977) and Adaptation (2002).

What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?

The show was developed at an R and D at Southwark Playhouse last year. There was instant magic in the room and we knew then that we had to take it to fringe!

How would you describe your show in three words?

Handcrafted. Provocative. Intimate.

What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?

THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME. Will make you laugh, cry and think. We hope audiences will take away a feeling of warmth from a heartfelt story, and intellectual curiosity from its expansive themes.

What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?

Vegetables and noise cancelling headphones.

Where and when can people see your show?

We are on at 3:20 in the Former Women’s Locker Room in Summerhall. We can’t wait to see you there!