Dear Annie, I Hate You to Make London Debut at Riverside Studios
Following a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, Dear Annie, I Hate You will make its London debut at Riverside Studios for a four-week run from Wednesday 7 May to Sunday 1 June 2025.
Shortlisted for the BBC Popcorn Writing Award, this critically acclaimed and award-winning production is a deeply personal and darkly funny exploration of navigating life after a life-altering diagnosis.
A Powerful Story Based on Real-Life Events
Dear Annie, I Hate You is inspired by the true story of writer-performer Samantha Ipema, who was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm at the age of 20. The production takes audiences through Sam’s journey, from childhood to a potentially terminal medical condition, forcing her to rethink everything she holds dear.
At the heart of the play is Annie—the personified voice of Sam’s brain aneurysm, a straight-talking internal monologue that she keeps hidden from the world. Told with humour, honesty, and immersive sound design, Dear Annie, I Hate You offers a unique theatrical experience blending live performance with multimedia elements to bring the audience into Sam’s mind.
Production photography by Alex Brenner
A Showcase of Disability Representation
This deeply personal story not only explores Sam’s condition but also highlights different types of disabilities. The play features real recorded video footage of Sam’s family, including her brother Micah, who has Down’s syndrome.
To further raise awareness about chronic and life-altering conditions, Dear Annie, I Hate You is staged in partnership with Headway East London and Headway West London, two charities supporting individuals affected by brain injuries. Riverside Studios’ gallery and foyer will also showcase artworks by individuals with lived experiences of disability and chronic illness.
Creative Team & Cast for London Debut
Starring in this highly anticipated London transfer:
Samantha Ipema as Sam (Writer and Creator, Stage Debut)
Eleanor House as Annie (The Secret Life of Bees, Almeida Theatre; Rebus: Long Shadows, Birmingham Rep; Tempest, The Pleasance)
Creative Team
Director & Co-Devisor – James Meteyard (Electrolyte, UK Tour; No Man’s Island, The Big House)
Sound Designer & Co-Devisor – Dan Balfour (Olivier-nominated for Operation Mincemeat, Dear England, Vanya)
Set & Lighting Designer – Hugo Dodsworth (Mariupol, The Visit, Angels in America)
Movement Director – Jade Hackett (Romeo & Juliet, Sylvia, Miss Saigon)
Video Creators – Dan Light (Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon, For Tonight, Your Lie in April) and Douglas Coghlan (The Shadow Garden, CACEROLEO)
Critical Acclaim & Awards
Winner of The Stagey Place’s ‘Best New Writing’ & ‘Best Multi-Media Show’
Sinner’s No.1 Pick of the Fringe 2024
★★★★ “Imaginatively told, Dear Annie, I Hate You showcases not only the tenacity of the human spirit, but also the non-linear ways that writers and performers are able to explore difficult subjects.” – The Stage
What the Creators Say
Samantha Ipema (Writer & Performer):
"The show is for anyone who has ever felt their life fall apart. But most of all, it’s about empowerment—it reminds us that even in the wreckage, something remarkable can be found."
James Meteyard (Director & Co-Devisor):
"Dear Annie, I Hate You is a life-affirming story that pulls us into the present moment. It’s a hilarious, informative, and deeply human story about resilience and embracing the now."
Where to See Dear Annie, I Hate You in London
Venue: Riverside Studios, 101 Queen Caroline Street, London, W6 9BN
Run Dates: Wednesday 7 May – Sunday 1 June 2025
Press Night: Monday 12 May at 7:00 PM
Tickets: On sale now via Riverside Studios’ website
