That question lies at the heart of July 15th, a compelling one-woman physical theatre production premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from 24–29 August 2026.
Blending movement, music and fragmented storytelling, the production immerses audiences in the emotional turbulence of Ella, a young woman navigating the unpredictable highs and lows of her mental health. Rather than presenting a linear narrative, the show embraces the fragmented nature of memory and emotion, allowing the audience to experience Ella’s world as she does—disorientating, exhilarating and, at times, overwhelming.
Watching the performance, I found myself constantly anticipating what would happen next. The transitions between scenes were seamless yet unsettling, creating a lingering sense of uncertainty that mirrored Ella’s state of mind. There were moments of humour that quickly dissolved into vulnerability, making it impossible to settle into emotional comfort for long.
At the centre of the production is Peiyi Zhong, whose physically demanding performance sees her embody not only Ella but every other character in the story. Despite the constant shifts, each character remains distinct, while Ella’s emotional journey never loses its focus.
For Zhong, one of the greatest challenges was creating clear physical differences between the characters without allowing them to overshadow Ella herself.
“The biggest challenge is that, alongside playing Ella, I also perform every other character. Finding clear physical distinctions between them while keeping Ella at the emotional centre has been both demanding and exciting.”
That emotional honesty extends beyond the choreography. Rather than attempting to completely disappear into the role, Zhong approaches Ella with empathy, believing vulnerability comes from understanding the character rather than sacrificing her own emotional well-being.
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Growing up, Zhong says conversations around mental health were rarely straightforward. They weren’t necessarily avoided, but they often remained unspoken. Looking back now, she sees a noticeable shift, with more people openly discussing their experiences and helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The title, July 15th, marks the day Ella first experiences the physical symptoms that begin her mental health journey. Producer Stephanie Chu describes it as the moment everything changes—a seemingly ordinary date that quietly becomes the starting point of Ella’s story.
What makes July 15th particularly refreshing is that it refuses to reduce either mental illness or identity to a single narrative. As an independent ESEA female-led production, it challenges long-standing assumptions about East and Southeast Asian women, presenting characters who are emotionally messy, resilient, contradictory and deeply human. There is no attempt to create a “perfect” heroine; instead, the production embraces complexity.
“Being part of an ESEA female-led independent team means having the chance to tell stories that challenge the stereotypes people often have about East Asian women. There’s still this idea that we’re supposed to be quiet, gentle or reserved. But we’re so much more complex than that, and I think our work reflects that.”
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Perhaps what stayed with me most after the performance was not simply Ella’s struggle, but her determination to keep moving through it. July 15th doesn’t offer easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, it invites audiences to sit with uncertainty and to recognise that healing is rarely linear.
For those who have experienced their own mental health challenges, Zhong hopes the production offers something simple but powerful: the reassurance that they are not alone.
“I hope they leave the theatre feeling a little less alone. I hope they see parts of themselves in Ella and realise that someone understands what they’re going through. Sometimes that’s enough to remind you that you’re not the only one carrying those feelings.”
Led by a talented ESEA female creative team, July 15th makes its Edinburgh Fringe debut this August. Before heading to Scotland, however, London audiences will have the opportunity to experience this intimate and emotionally resonant production first.
