Hannah Reilly’s Roleplay sets London transfer ahead of Edinburgh bow

Exclusive: It hasn’t even opened at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe yet, but Hannah Reilly’s Roleplay already has future life mapped out.

Written and performed by Reilly, the one-woman play will run at the Soho Theatre in London from 22 October to 21 November following its world premiere at this year’s Fringe. The production is directed by Paige Rattray and presented by Francesca Moody Productions and Global Creatures.

Described as a comedy that develops into a psychological thriller, Roleplay follows a struggling feminist podcaster who reinvents herself in pursuit of online fame, only to lose herself in the performance.

Reilly’s previous work includes the musical comedy The Deb. Rattray’s credits include Fangirls at the Lyric Hammersmith and she previously served as director of new work and artistic development at Sydney Theatre Company.

The production marks a collaboration between Francesca Moody Productions, whose stage work includes Fleabag, Baby Reindeer and Weather Girl, and Global Creatures, producer of Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Muriel’s Wedding The Musical. Roleplay was originally developed as part of Belvoir Street Theatre’s Up Late Series in Sydney.

Speaking about the transfer, Reilly said: “I’m honoured to bring Roleplay to Soho Theatre, and am so excited for a wider audience to experience it.”

Rattray added: “What excites me most about Roleplay is that it refuses certainty. Hannah’s writing is constantly shifting beneath your feet, exposing the complicated relationship between sex, power, identity and performance. It’s a play that invites audiences to question not just its central character, but themselves.”

Speaking of Francesca Moody Productions, you can hear Francesca Moody talk about her Fringe work on a recent episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast.

Listen for free here: