Fresh from its London debut at Riverside Studios, the award-winning Dear Annie, I Hate You tells the true story of writer and performer Sam Ipema’s diagnosis with a brain aneurysm. Brought to life by Wild Geese Productions, in association with HFH Productions, and featuring sound design from Olivier-nominated Dan Balfour, the show is a visceral multimedia exploration of coming to terms with the possibility of death at the age of 20.
In this heartfelt and darkly funny production, Sam’s brain aneurysm takes the form of ‘Annie’, the painfully honest manifestation of Sam’s inner self. From spring break to a ‘live’ brain surgery depicted on stage, Dear Annie, I Hate You chronicles Sam’s story from her early childhood to her life-changing diagnosis in a life-affirming audiovisual performance.
Based on her own experiences, Sam’s real family appear in the show as characters in recorded videos, with a special focus on Micah, her brother with Down’s syndrome. The production pays homage to different types of disabilities – both seen and unseen.
This marks Samantha Ipema’s stage debut as writer and creator. The show is directed by James Meteyard (Electrolyte, Between the Lines, No Man’s Island), with set and lighting design by Hugo Dodsworth (Mariupol, The Visit, Angels in America). Co-video designers Dan Light and Douglas Coghlan create a striking visual reality that enhances the emotional depth of the piece.
Shortlisted for the BBC Popcorn Award in 2024, Dear Annie, I Hate You was also named Sinner’s number one Pick of the Fringe 2024 and won The Stagey Place’s ‘Best New Writing’ and ‘Best Multimedia Show’ awards.
