Review: RIGHT BEFORE I GO - Pleasance Dome (13/08/26)

Profound, brutal, and hauntingly relevant, this new play is a must-see

TW: Content relating to mental health, depression and suicide (*see below for support)

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What goes through the mind of someone who is so stuck, so trapped in life, that they see no other way out than it end it all? Often this most uncomfortable, difficult of conversation topics, as awful as it may feel to address, can end up being the one that can have the biggest impact on our lives, and it's this notion which proves to be the motivation behind this harrowing new piece which takes a deep dive into the idea of deteriorating mental health, depression, and suicide, as well as the triggers, causes and series of events that can lead up to one making such an irreversible decision.

Told largely by means of a series of suicide notes from history, from figures both renowned and under the radar, US writer Stan Zimmerman, best known for TV shows like "Gilmore Girls", uses this new play to dive into the raw, unabridged reality of why people make the decision to end their lives, in order to try and gain further understanding of their plights, as well as open up discussions with one another, in the hope that we as a society can shed the stigma that still surrounds mental health. It is stripped back yet full on, candid, hard hitting yet immensely respectful, and never feels like the struggles suffered by these various individuals are being diminished or sugar coated in any way.

Official artwork for "Right Before I Go"

From individuals like rockstar Kurt Cobain and novelist Virginia Woolf, to war veterans, bullied children, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who had survived suicide attempts, we are taken on a most intense, visceral journey through the lowest points of these peoples' lives. This wide variety of communications are read by a rotating cast of four, this time featuring Sam Stuart Fraser, Claire-Marie Hall, Wendie Malick and Gerard McCarthy, with writer Zimmerman guiding us through themes of mental illness, child abuse, sexual abuse, bullying, homophobia and self harm, through these accounts.

There is a simplicity yet distinct sense of direction to how this piece is structured, and in spite of the difficult subject matter, there is a beautiful balance hit between the desolation of one reaching the end of one's tether, and the sense of clarity that comes with knowing exactly where one is headed, with moments of humour that never feel morbid, but rather contribute marvellously towards providing as many different perspectives as possible. Perhaps the most harrowing moment, though, was the recreation of teen bullying victim Amanda Todd's viral flashcard YouTube video from 2012 by Hall and McCarthy, during which we experience in horrifying detail the abuse and enormity that she was put through at the hands of fellow students, just months prior to her taking her own life.

Stan Zimmerman

The manner in which this cast present this array of accounts is well balanced between their attempts to channel the individuals in question, and honouring their stories and the tragedy that befell each of them, and always in a hugely respectful manner. All of this is framed by means of the underlying subplot relating to discussions between Zimmerman and friend Kristin, about a man named Paul who has taken his own life. The show itself was inspired by Zimmerman’s own personal tragedy relating to close personal friend Kevin Gill, who himself died by suicide, and you can feel every word, every quiver, every single iota of emotion that he wears so solemnly and sincerely on his sleeve.

You will be hard pressed to find another show at this year's Fringe that comes anywhere close to matching the depth of expression, sheer profound humanity, or genuine real world impact that we get from "Right Before I Go", this is not only a beautiful, devastating, unprecedented journey into the darkest depths of the human experience, but a play that as many people as possible on planet earth need to experience for themselves, if for no other reason than to know that the aren't alone, that there will always be someone to whom they can open up, and most importantly, as expressed most aptly and eloquently by members of Andy's Man Club, that "it's ok to talk".

★★★★★ (5*)

"Right Before I Go" runs at 15:35 every day (excl. 17/08, 24/08) at Pleasance Dome until the 31st of August (tickets)

{PR/Gifted Tickets}

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*It is always ok to talk to someone, if you are struggling or experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. There is support available, please call:

Samaritans: 116 123

Calm: 0800 58 58 58

NHS: 111 (option 2)

You can also call one of these numbers if you are concerned about someone you know; if you believe someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 999