Help us bring to life two deeply human shows about mental health, mortality, and making the most out of our time here. #hopecore #partygirl
Hey you!
We are Turtle Hellion, an independent theatre production company, and we are headed to Scotland this summer! Packed in our shell we have two very personal one-person shows that have been in the works for a while.
The Edinburgh Fringe brings together audiences actively seeking new ideas, fresh voices and honest conversations - there's no better place for a play exploring mental health, mortality and hope!
We have already secured partial funding through other outlets, but your donation will help us make it across the finish line! (And will potentially protect our credit scores!)
You could help us cover:
Together, we’re building our shows from the ground up and would love for you to be part of our team. Whether you’re able to give £1, £100, or simply share this page with someone who might resonate with our story, your support makes a massive difference to our show, and that means everything to us.
"I think about dying quite a lot."
"And I can't be the only one, right?"
"Right???"
This Year I Am Going To Die tells the dramatised-but-true story of Jojo, whose latest panic attack convinces him he's about to bite the dust. Through the funniest funeral in all of fringe theatre (hosted by the soon-to-be-deceased himself!), this one-man show finds an approachable, light-hearted way to explore the reality of life with anxiety. This hopeful play is for anyone who's ever felt held back by their own fears. And, perhaps also, the lovers of a cheeky Twilight and The Sims reference... This play was developed through wroter-performer Jonas Feind's MA dissertation on How Playwriting Can Be Used As Therapy. This is director Lizzie Sharpe's Edinburgh Frinde debut!
“It’s never your first time out in Boro, is it? Well, let me tell you. There’s no where better than Boro, and I’ve been everywhere – Newcastle, Hartlepool, Redcar, everywhere!”
Drinks, dancing and debauchery - just another night at The Middlesbrough Empire. Ignore your mam’s missed calls, forget about your sister’s cancer, and join Lizzie as she parties into oblivion. Queen of the Empire is written in honour of writer-performer Sasha Snowdon's late Aunt, Hazel Snowdon, and discusses all that the familywent through together during Hazel’s battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This one-woman show details Sasha’s personal struggles with ‘needing to be out of the house’, stifling her grief, and just generally trying to be a normal 19 year old girl, all at the same time. The show is directed by the fabulous Jessica Robson.
Dexi Moralde is the Marketing and PR genius behind Turtle Hellion, while also serving as a co-producer on both shows.
We have found our in the Stephenson Theatre @theSpace, Surgeon's Hall and we have the 10:30 timeslot from August 7th to the 15th. If you happen to be around, please swing by!!!
Both shows are about struggling - and every struggle is easier to overcome if it is shared!
“Queen of the Empire” details the struggles of coping with a family members’ illnesses, the toll that it can take on the carer, and coping mechanisms when handling grief. Lizzie’s story is one that many might relate to, whether it’s finding escapism during a dark time, or the very human frustration of caring for someone that’s seriously ill.
"This Year I Am Going To Die" is about overcoming taboos on death and removing stigma around mental health. Jojo's journey is important, because it is a modern day odyssey of finding purpose, slowing down in a hectic world, learning how to be grateful, and never giving up hope.
Turtle Hellion was founded with exactly these core beliefs in mind, while also challenging theatre norms, such as breaking down barriers by moving away from exclusively RP theatre and by staging affordable, community-focused work.
We are thrilled to bring "Queen Of The Empire" and "This Year I Am Going To Die" to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2026!
Thank you!!!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 17th August 2026 at 1:05pm