Aim

Tap Out! is a one-man dramedy about a man and a mask, going out and starting fights. And we need your support to get it to Edinburgh Fringe!

Our Goal (in short)

Tap Out! is a dark comedy-drama production where a man, lost in his own life, goes out at night to start fights with random people in the street. We're debuting it at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2026 at Gilded Balloon's Patterhouse.

The show is written and directed by Conor Dye, performed by Matt Ackermann, and produced by Croft & Dye Productions - and it's set to run from the 5th - 31st of August.

Realising that his life is going nowhere, a man decides to go out in a mask and pick fights with random people on the street. He knows it’s reckless and amoral, but he doesn’t care – it’s liberating. He feels like a “man”. And as he gets a taste for it, the consequences of these bouts soon come back to bite him. 

Tap Out! is a dramedy story about violence, masculinity and morality; an examination of identity, purpose and male loneliness. 

This show seeks to address the ideas of male violence, mental health, and morality; an examination of identity and purpose in the modern day. It’s been described as ‘Fight Club’ meets ‘Baby Reindeer’ meets 'Fleabag' meets James Graham’s ‘Punch’. 

As a one-person show, we’re all too aware that we’re another group of people chasing the dream of ‘making it big in Edinburgh’. But that isn’t going to stop us from trying. 

We believe that the topics that are explored in this show are tricky and knotty but also important. Men’s mental health, male loneliness, and the pipelines that we can all fall into if we give into bitterness and anger. The main character - Him - is caught in the grips of this, unable to find the words to ask for help, and certainly not comfortable enough to try. He pursues violence, only to learn that real strength is being able to connect with others and offer a helping hand. 

At its core, Tap Out! is a play about the importance of kindness and vulnerability. (Don’t let the image of the scary man on the poster fool you!)

This production would be the debut of the entire team: for the writer-director, our sole performer and ‘Croft & Dye Productions’ for the Fringe, and it’s the first time that ‘Tap Out!’ would be performed in front of an audience.

In debuting this show, we’ll be able to take a new step in our careers as individuals, and further develop our place in the industry as a company.

At time of writing we have a full revised script, a cast and creative team attached, and we are set to run at the Gilded Balloon’s Patter House for the whole month of the Festival. We are also signed to be a part of the Main PR Roster of Chloé Nelkin Consulting, helping us to spread the message of the show alongside a comprehensive digital marketing plan supported by Scrapbook Media. 

As a team, we are looking to raise money to support the making and debut of this new play. We have already raised £6,000 - but are asking for support to raise the remaining funds. With our venue confirmed, and all of the elements of our production ready to go, we’re ready to make this show everything we hope it can be. That's where we need your support!

Having already raised 60% of our budget, we are seeking to build up further funding streams for this production. We have pending conversations with private investment, but also have pending applications for financial contributions from Trust & Foundations. Additionally, we are looking to raise £2,000 via this Crowdfunder, to help us to capitalise our production.

The £2,000 that we are looking to raise will be going towards supporting us in paying for our travel and accommodation in Edinburgh for the length of the festival. If we are fortunate enough to exceed this amount then any additional funds would be used to promote and market the show; ensuring that we are able to reach the most audiences possible!

Conor Dye - Writer & Director

An award-winning producer, writer and director. Conor has a passion for new work and smashing genres together.

Selected directing credits include: ‘Shaky Breaky Heart’ (Public Workshop, BOLD Theatre, 2026; R&D, Drayton’s Arms, 2022), ‘A Whole F*cking Case of You’ (Workshop, 2026), ‘JULIE: The Musical’ (The Other Palace, 2024) and ‘Tit Swingers’ (MTFestUK, 2024). 

Selected theatre producing credits are: ‘Triple Bill: EVERYWHERE’ (National Tour, 2025), ‘by their fruits’ (Theatre503, 2024), ‘Foam’ (Finborough Theatre, 2024), and ‘JULIE: The Musical (National Tour, 2023). Selected screen producing credits include: Aetherium (2024), Forgotten (2021), Seven Minutes in Heaven (2021).

The short film that he wrote the screenplay of, ‘Forgotten’ (2021), has received awards from festivals all around the globe and has been showcased internationally.

TAP OUT! is Conor’s debut play as a writer and his debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Emily Dickson - Associate Producer

Currently the General Manager of Theatre503, Emily has a background in stage and production management. She holds an M.A from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in ‘Collaborative Theatre Production and Design.’

Notable credits include: Donbas (Theatre503), Loop (Theatre503), A Woman Walks into a Bank (Theatre503), Paper Cut (Park Theatre), Splintered (Soho Theatre).

Croft & Dye Productions - Producer

An award-winning full-service theatre production company. We specialise in new writing across off-West End, touring and fringe theatre. At the core of our work is the idea of “being led by excitement”.

Selected credits include ‘An Instinct’ (2025), ‘Windsong’ (R&D, 2025; Workshop 2024), ‘by their fruits’ (Theatre503, 2024), ‘JULIE: The Musical’ (The Other Palace, 2024) and ‘Foam’ (2024). In 2024, the company was awarded for ‘Best Production’ at the Standing Ovation Awards for ‘Foam’.

TAP OUT! is the companies’ first production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Matt Ackermann - Sole Performer as ‘Him’

Matt is an actor and musician. He trained at Guildford School of Acting (M.A).

Selected theatre credits include: Tui Sensatori Biomar (2024), The Polar Express Immersive Experience (2023), Aladdin (2022), and Crash & Land (2022). Selected film credits include: Shoot your Heart (2025), Ransack (2024), Seven Minutes in Heaven (2021).

Matt is represented by International Talent Management UK.

TAP OUT! will be Matt’s debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Other Ways to Help

If you are unable to support us financially, then there are other ways to help out!

Share our Crowdfunder - LINK
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If you are interested in making an investment in this project rather than making a donation, then please do reach out to us at [email protected] and we will be able to provide all the relevant documentation; an investment prospectus, a budget breakdown, and recoupment schedule.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 3rd July 2026 at 9:59am