Before I'm Dead: Award-Winning New Play Premieres at VAULT Festival Space

Following their critically acclaimed, Offie-winning production of The Lost Library of Leake Street, VAULT Creative Arts (VCA) are returning with a brand new play that promises to be one of the most emotionally compelling fringe productions of the year. Before I'm Dead, written by James Rushbrooke, is the winner of this year's VCA Playwriting Award and will premiere at the company's Lower Marsh venue in London's Waterloo.

A Story of Mortality, Anger, and Authentic Connection

Before I'm Dead centres on Zara, a seventeen-year-old with a terminal brain tumour who refuses to let her diagnosis define her. Funny, furious, and possessing zero tolerance for sentimentality, Zara has one final mission: to record her own eulogy in her own words before her illness takes that ability away from her. As she puts it, she's not going to die happy. She's going to die angry, and she wants everyone to hear about it.

Enter Stuart, a well-meaning professional who has built an entire career around helping others. His careful, service-oriented life has conveniently allowed him to keep his own grief at arm's length. But Zara doesn't want to be managed or pitied. What she needs is something far more difficult: to be truly witnessed. And that's a skill Stuart has never quite developed.

This tender two-hander explores what it genuinely means to see another person, not the polished version they present to the world, but the raw, inconvenient, luminous truth of who they actually are. At its heart, the play argues that authentic human connection is the greatest act of bravery any of us can muster in the face of mortality.

The Creative Team Behind the Production

Playwright James Rushbrooke has crafted a script that balances dark humour with genuine emotional depth. Winning the VCA Playwriting Award places Rushbrooke among a growing cohort of emerging writers whose work is being championed by one of London's most exciting fringe companies.

The production is directed by Oli Savage and stars Myla Carmen as Zara and Pete Ashbrooke as Stuart. The intimate two-hander format demands exceptional performances from both actors, and given VCA's track record for drawing outstanding work from their creative teams, expectations are high.

VAULT Creative Arts earned significant attention with The Lost Library of Leake Street, which achieved five-star reviews, sold-out performances, and won an Off West End (Offie) Award. That production demonstrated the company's ability to create deeply engaging, high-quality theatre on a fringe scale, and Before I'm Dead looks set to continue that trajectory.

Why Fringe Theatre Matters for Stories Like This

Stories about terminal illness have a long and important history in theatre, from Margaret Edson's Pulitzer Prize-winning Wit to more recent works that challenge how we talk about death and dying. What sets Before I'm Dead apart is its refusal to frame its young protagonist as an object of sympathy. Zara is not a passive figure waiting for comfort. She is active, opinionated, and determined to leave behind something authentic.

This kind of storytelling thrives in fringe settings. The intimacy of a small venue means audiences experience Zara's anger and humour at close quarters, creating a theatrical experience that larger productions simply cannot replicate. London's fringe scene continues to be the testing ground for some of the most vital and adventurous writing in British theatre, and VCA's commitment to championing new playwrights through their annual award is a valuable contribution to that ecosystem.

Content Guidance and What to Expect

The production deals with themes of death, cancer, serious illness, and includes references to suicide as well as strong language. These are handled as integral parts of the story rather than for shock value, but audiences should be aware of the subject matter before booking. The play's approach to these topics is described as both unflinching and compassionate, blending dark comedy with moments of genuine tenderness.

As a two-hander running in an intimate space, this is the kind of production where every word, gesture, and silence carries weight. If VCA's previous work is anything to go by, audiences can expect a polished, emotionally intelligent piece of theatre that punches well above its fringe weight class.

Venue and Practical Information

Before I'm Dead will be staged at 134 Lower Marsh, London, SE1 7AE, in the heart of Waterloo. The venue is easily accessible from Waterloo station and sits within one of south London's most vibrant independent shopping streets, making it an ideal destination for an evening of thought-provoking theatre.

Should You Book?

If you're a theatregoer who values bold new writing and intimate, emotionally resonant storytelling, Before I'm Dead deserves a place on your radar. VCA have already proven they can deliver exceptional fringe theatre, and an award-winning script paired with a strong creative team makes this a compelling prospect. Given that their previous production sold out completely, early booking is strongly recommended.

For fans of new writing and innovative fringe productions, London's theatre scene offers no shortage of opportunities to discover emerging talent. Browse our full list of London theatre shows to find your next unmissable performance, or explore the latest plays running across the capital.