Right Before I Go: Edinburgh Fringe Hit Transfers to London's Soho Theatre for Suicide Awareness Month

One of the most talked-about productions at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe is heading south. Right Before I Go, a deeply affecting suicide awareness play that has earned four-star reviews and standing ovations on the Fringe circuit, will transfer to London's Soho Theatre for a strictly limited run from 5 to 10 September 2026. The timing is no coincidence: September is Suicide Awareness Month, and the final performance on 10 September falls on World Suicide Prevention Day.

The production, which uses real suicide notes to illuminate the struggles of those affected by suicide, has been praised for its unflinching honesty and compassionate approach. The Scotsman awarded it four stars, noting: "It should feel morbid, perhaps even voyeuristic, to peer into these private, tragic worlds, and all credit to Zimmerman because it is neither."

What Is Right Before I Go About?

Right Before I Go is not a traditional play in the conventional sense. Rather than following a single narrative, it presents a mosaic of real suicide notes left by people from vastly different backgrounds: celebrities, military veterans, bullied teenagers, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who survived their attempts. Each note is performed by a different cast member, giving voice to individuals whose pain often went unheard during their lifetimes.

The result is a production that is simultaneously devastating and redemptive. By placing these intimate final words centre stage, the play challenges audiences to confront the reality of suicide without sensationalism. It asks difficult questions about mental health, societal pressure, isolation, and the support systems that too often fail the most vulnerable.

Every performance is followed by a structured talkback session between the cast, the audience, and a local mental health professional. This element transforms the theatrical experience into something genuinely therapeutic, creating a safe space for conversation, reflection, and connection. It is theatre at its most purposeful.

The Creative Team Behind the Production

The play was created by Stan Zimmerman, a writer best known for his work on beloved television series including The Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls. Zimmerman's transition from comedy writing to this deeply personal project underscores the universality of mental health struggles. He himself performs in the production alongside the rest of the cast, lending an additional layer of authenticity and vulnerability to each performance.

Direction comes from Abigail Morris, whose credits include acclaimed productions of Kindertransport and Colder Than Here. Morris brings a deft, sensitive touch to material that could easily become overwhelming, guiding both performers and audiences through the emotional terrain with remarkable care.

An All-Star Cast for the London Transfer

The London run boasts an impressive ensemble drawn from stage and screen. Iz Hesketh, known for Tip Toe and Renegade Nell, joins Dominique Moore of Horrible Histories fame, and Claire-Marie Hall, who has been winning audiences over in Operation Mincemeat. Emrhys Cooper brings credits from Nosferatu and Coronation Street, while Gerard McCarthy (The Fall) and Paul Bigley (Shakespeare in Love, The Danish Girl) round out a roster of seriously accomplished performers.

West End audiences may also recognise Tosh Wanogho-Maud, who has appeared in both Kinky Boots and Titanique. Each performer brings their own emotional range and stage presence to the material, ensuring that the diverse voices represented in the real notes are honoured with skill and sensitivity.

Why This Play Matters Now

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the UK, particularly among men under 50. According to the Samaritans, more than 6,000 people die by suicide in the UK and Republic of Ireland each year, yet it remains a subject shrouded in stigma and silence. Productions like Right Before I Go play a vital role in breaking down those barriers, using the communal power of live theatre to foster understanding and empathy.

The decision to stage the London transfer during Suicide Awareness Month, and to close on World Suicide Prevention Day itself, sends a clear message about the role the arts can play in public health conversations. Theatre has always been a mirror held up to society, and few subjects demand our attention more urgently than mental health.

The inclusion of a post-show talkback with a mental health professional is a particularly thoughtful touch. It ensures that audiences are not left to process their emotions in isolation, but are instead offered resources, perspective, and community support. For some audience members, these conversations may prove as impactful as the performance itself.

Edinburgh Fringe to London: A Growing Trend

The transfer of Right Before I Go from Edinburgh to London follows a well-established pattern of Fringe successes making the journey south. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has long served as a proving ground for new work, and producers increasingly look to the festival as a launchpad for Off-West End and even West End runs. In recent years, shows that generated critical buzz at Edinburgh have gone on to enjoy extended London seasons, national tours, and international transfers.

Soho Theatre is a natural home for this particular production. The venue has built a formidable reputation as one of London's most adventurous and socially engaged theatres, regularly programming work that challenges, provokes, and moves. Its intimate scale is ideally suited to the raw, unmediated power of Right Before I Go, where the proximity between performer and audience amplifies the emotional impact of every word.

Practical Information: Dates, Venue, and Booking

The London run of Right Before I Go at Soho Theatre runs from 5 to 10 September 2026. With only a handful of performances scheduled, demand is expected to be high, particularly given the strength of the Edinburgh reviews. Those interested in attending should look to secure tickets as early as possible.

Soho Theatre is located at 21 Dean Street in the heart of London's West End, easily accessible from Tottenham Court Road and Leicester Square tube stations. The venue's intimate auditorium ensures that every seat offers a powerful and immersive experience.

Should You Book?

If you believe that theatre should do more than simply entertain, Right Before I Go deserves your attention. This is a production that uses the unique power of live performance to address one of the most pressing issues of our time, with honesty, compassion, and artistic integrity. The four-star Fringe reviews, the star-studded cast, and the deeply important subject matter all point to a London run that will be both unmissable and profoundly moving.

It is worth noting that the play deals with sensitive themes including suicide and mental health. Audience members who may find this distressing are encouraged to review the content guidance provided by the venue before booking. Support is available during and after every performance through the post-show talkback sessions.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org.

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