Eat Me

A new play on eating disorders.

Having worked as a professional actress on stage and screen for some years, it has been a fascinating and challenging experience to both write and co-direct ‘Eat Me’. It was a natural progression really; having had a passion for creative writing since childhood, and also having suffered myself from anorexia, I had an urge to put pen to paper, with the chief aim of helping others to gain an understanding of the way this illness takes control of a sufferer’s mind, body and soul.

Everything that happens in the play to either Libby, Kate or Jonathan, happened to me or to someone I know. These stories are real.

Working with Sally McCormack, who has written a play on schizophrenia and early psychosis in which I performed, has been a privilege, and together we hope to take both these stories further, in order to increase knowledge and understanding of mental health issues through the medium of drama. It has been a joy to work with this amazing cast and I thank them for their hard work and dedication throughout.

‘Eat Me' was first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2018, and since at the Guildford Festival and other venues. It aims to bring awareness and highlight the struggles that sufferers face, and how, together with support, they can take on and overcome this evil force. However, in order to carry on producing 'Eat Me', and to take it to more venues including schools, NHS Trusts and theatres, we need to reach our fundraising target! By supporting us, you will help others gain a greater understanding of this potentially deadly mental illness, and give them tools to help and support their loved ones, as well as providing hope of recovery and life to those who struggle.

Production

Meet the team behind the play

Suzanna Walters

Actress & Writer

Suzanna trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
She is currently playing Joyce Grenfell in “Choice Grenfell” and Mistress Quickly in “Much Ado About Falstaff”, both touring nationally with Kick In The Head Theatre Productions.
Suzanna has also.performed in the premiere of two new plays, ‘Bare Reality’ and ‘A Drama out of a Crisis’, both for Matrix Theatre, as well as playing various characters from Sheridan and Shakespeare in Pop Up Scandal and Pop Up Shakespeare at Polesden Lacey.
In 2017, Suzanna wrote her first play, ‘Eat Me’, which was performed in two Surrey venues, and in 2018 was taken by Matrix Theatre Company to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and in 2019 to the Guildford Fringe Festival.

Sally McCormack

Director

Sally was in Birmingham and trained at the acclaimed Birmingham School of Speech and Drama before she went on to work in theatre, television and film. She was a puppeteer for ‘Playdays live on Stage’ and ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at Pinewood Studios and Henson’s Creature shop. She enjoys writing and directing these days and has performed ‘Cinderella’ ‘Dick Whittington’ and Mrs Duster’s Magic Toyshop’, at The Leatherhead Theatre.

In 2002 she launched her company Matrix Theatre, offering fully interactive history workshops, following and enhancing the curriculum. She has also produced a number one tour of ‘Stepping Out’ featuring Anita Harris and adapted ‘I’m Telling you, They’re Aliens’, a book by Jeremy Strong, into a musical play. This is how Suzanne Walters, the writer for ‘Eat Me’ and Sally met. They have worked together on various projects ever since and look forward to working together in the future.

Sally also Stage Manages the Leatherhead Drama Festival, which always takes place during the month of May

Testimonials

What they're saying about us

Eat Me is a play about anorexia written by one of the actors Suzanna Walters, based on her own experience of the condition. She plays anorexia itself, playing on the minds of the other actors, effectively playing young people tormented for various reasons by this anorexia. This unusual device works well and provides an interesting insight into this dangerous and little understood or reported illness.

JS

Four talented actors bring hope for recovery and also clarity in trying to understand the pain, suffering and relentless manipulation that the ‘voice of anorexia’ brings to those it affects. The play is, at times, harrowing but positive. Well done and thank you for tackling a difficult subject with such honesty and sensitivity.

KC

A very thought provoking play showing how the pressures of everyday life can take a hold of an individual and spiral out of control. Brilliant acting especially from Suzanna Walters who brings the character of Anorexia to life, and takes hold of her ‘Friends’ Libby, Jonathan and Kate, Brilliantly written from a personal perspective. Well worth taking the time to go and see this one, both for those who have or know sufferers to those that don’t understand this Mental illness at all.

JM

Extremely well written, directed and performed. Engaging and thought provoking. The show has a lightness and clarity about it which makes it really enjoyable, despite the seriousness of the subject matter.

UL

A thought provoking play, well directed and presented and which gives the audience an insight as to the challenges of anorexia. Well worth seeing.

DE

Well written, thought provoking and stunningly performed play which shows just how insidious an eating disorder can be for someone. A serious subject portrayed in a sensitive manner with great performances and a depth of emotion which draws you in throughout the play. Do your best to catch this one – it’s worth it.

CC

Fabulous! Any one wanting to see a brilliantly written, fantastically acted, quality play, come and see this!!!! It will make you think about eating disorders brought about by social issues we all face in these full on and pressured times. Follow three people’s journey. This is a must see!!!!

TT

An eye opening play into the minds and struggles of those suffering from eat disorders. The cast of four give great detailed performances. As you might expect from a play dealing with eating disorders, it has dark moments but they are tastefully done and broken up by lighter moments throughout. Well worth a watch!

GM

Well written new play about eating disorders and how this can affect young people. 4 great actors preform this with passion and emotion. Felt full emmersed in this frightening world. Clever concept and beautifully performed. Go and see this.