Aim

To normalise the ordinariness of horrible intrusive thoughts, empowering those who might feel at a loss against themselves.

Migrant-led, accent-blind theatre company Stage Leftovers are proud to present

The Extraordinary Life of a Rat Racer

Ever wondered what the person next to you is thinking?

Eva is just a regular rat racer. Single mother to a 6-year-old boy, she is stuck in a world that keeps punching her down, and is desperately trying to play the game – pay the bills, get him to football, try to survive mum’s comments. 

But her mind has different plans. On her way to an important job interview, Eva gets bombarded by a series of ever-worsening intrusive thoughts. 

So prepare for the uncomfortable and dive into Eva’s mind. Guided by Arthur, a grotesque, sadistic, half-real figure, The Extraordinary Life of a Rat Racer brings audiences on a journey where violent thoughts, trauma and self-hatred meet self-acceptance and empowerment.

The Extraordinary Life of a Rat Racer aims to scratch way below the surface and show the ugliest, deepest parts of a person, those that are often concealed out of shame or fear of judgement – both by the outside world and by the person themselves. More importantly, it highlights the normality of those parts, the ordinariness of horrible thoughts, and therefore aims to empower those who might feel at a loss in the battle against themselves. This surreal, dark comedy will redefine your concept of normality – all while having a good laugh. 

“Scarily compelling and terribly funny” London Pub Theatres

“Fast-paced, blankly funny, and pleasingly weird” LouReviews

“Raw, inventive, and unafraid to explore difficult terrain” Under The Stars Reviews

" A highly visceral experience. I left feeling alive" Audience Review

About the team

Stage Leftovers are an emerging theatre company founded by Italian actors and theatre-makers Chiara Fumanti and Andrea Guerini. The company is born out of the idea of creating an “accent-blind theatre”, a space in which migrant actors and creatives can feel represented by playing characters which just happen to be from somewhere out of the English-speaking world, instead of being relegated to niche work because of their accent. The aim is to help create an industry that gives more opportunities to performers whose first language is not English, pushes for inclusivity and innovation, and reflects the multi-cultural society in which we live. The Extraordinary Life of a Rat Racer is our first project (to see the light of day!) and our hope as a theatre company is to keep evolving and developing, connecting with similar migrant-based companies and work together towards a more innovative, representative theatre world!

Cast list

Eva - Chiara Fumanti

Arthur - Andrea Guerini

Bob the Intrusive Thought Victim - Himself

Sharon the Intrusive Thought Victim - Herself

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026

After a successful tour of London pub theatres, Stage Leftovers are thrilled to be making their Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut! However, we need your help to make it happen. 

How can you help us?

Apart from a small crowdfunder to help us through the London Pub Theatres run, The Extraordinary Life of a Rat Racer is completely self-funded. Because of this, we have decided to keep our team and expenses to a minimum. However, the costs of producing a play quickly add up, and although we are lucky enough to have a supporting network of people who have very kindly offered their time/services to us, we believe in paying creatives fairly for their hard work, and we've love to get in a position in which we are able to do so. We are currently not receiving any other type of funding.

Your support would enable us to: 

• pay the team! Although Bob has agreed to offer his services at no charge (how kind!);
• invest in necessary advertising and marketing to stand out amongst the estimated 3500 shows performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. These costs can be upwards of 3/4k;
• cover the venue hire fees, which in our case are about 2k;
• travel and accommodation expenses
• helium and balloons (and we need loads...)

By supporting us, you won't just be helping a couple of migrant creatives. You'll support an innovative theatre company with an ambitious ethos - reshaping British theatre (bit cocky innit...). 

Thank you thank you thank you for reading, and thank you for any donation!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 5th September 2026 at 3:01pm