The production of 'We Love and then We Drown', written by Professor Ruth Gilligan, was funded by the University's Public and Community Engagement team.
A new climate play written by Professor Ruth Gilligan, Professor in Creative Writing, will be performed at the Camden Fringe Festival from 7-9 August before a two-week run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2026 from 17-29 August.
Set in 2075 when half the UK is underwater, 'We Love and then We Drown' centres around former climate scientist Catherine Hardy, who spends her days looking back on her life’s work - wondering why it wasn’t enough, and whether it was a mistake to sacrifice everything for her research. But when an unexpected visitor shows up asking questions about the past, Catherine realises there might yet be a chance for love - and hope - to prevail.
Directed by Adam Radford and stage-managed by Lucy Ellis, the play had initial performances at the John Lyon's Theatre in London, drawing praise for both its sophisticated writing and the urgency of its themes. Camden Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe will be an opportunity to bring the play to a much wider audience, as well as to key industry and media figures.
For Professor Gilligan, who has previously published five award-winning novels, playwriting is a new venture. Explaining the inspiration behind this pivot, she said: “I have always been a theatre nut, so I knew it was only a matter of time before I gave writing for the stage a go. But then recently I started thinking about different forms of storytelling and how they might engage with the climate emergency. I began wondering whether theatre – which already relies on a roomful of strangers coming together to think and feel collectively – might be better placed than novels to inspire the kind of communal action we so urgently need.”
The two-week run at Edinburgh Fringe was funded by the University's Public Engagement Fund, which enables University of Birmingham researchers to plan and deliver public engagement activities with their research. Head of Public and Community Engagement Lauren Deere said of the decision to fund the project: “Supporting We Love and then We Drown reflects our commitment to public engagement that opens up research in creative and accessible ways. The Edinburgh Fringe offers a unique opportunity to connect with a wide and diverse audience, bringing our research to life through performance. By engaging people emotionally, projects like Ruth’s invite new perspectives and spark conversation about one of the most urgent challenges of our time.”
Professor of Creative Writing
Biographical and contact information for Professor Ruth Gilligan, Professor of Creative Writing, University of Birmingham.
