Milly Thomas has won a Stage Edinburgh Award for her performance in Dust – a self-penned piece, directed by Sara Joyce.
Dust is a refreshing, caustic and comedic treatment of one woman’s depression, suicide and everything that happens afterwards. In an unflinching examination of suicide, this stripped-back monologue for one woman explodes the myth that death is a quiet affair, as it inspects the unavoidable practicalities, alongside the heart-wrenching decisions and pain – and the laughter.
Thomas comments, “I’m absolutely overwhelmed by this. I’m so hugely proud of the show and the team behind it. Alice’s story in Dust is extremely important to me and it means the world to be sharing it with audiences every day. It’s an honour to be recognised by the awards at all but especially for a performance in the context of mental health. It feels like another step in the direction of smashing stigma which means the world to me.
If it weren’t for director Sara Joyce there’s no way I’d be giving this performance. When I write and perform my own material it has the potential to become all self-indulgent and she has grown this and had an unmistakable hand in shaping Dust into what it is”.
The Stage Edinburgh Awards are presented throughout the Festival. They are not defined by category but recognise an outstanding performance at the Fringe.
Dust runs at Underbelly Cowgate (Big Belly) until 27 August.
