The Midnight Caller, Rosemary Branch Theatre
We’re well into our Camden Fringe 2025 coverage now, with more and more interviews being published each and every day of July. We’re trying to give a real flavour of what this brilliant London festival has to offer, and with over 400 shows happening across its four weeks, we reckon there’s something for everyone. You can find all our Camden Fringe interviews here.
If you’re looking for a good thriller, then perhaps The Midnight Caller is one for you? Like all good theatrical thrillers, it’s more about the tension that can be built up in the tight confines of a theatre space, and of course it’s always about more than just a few frights, and more the fears that exist in our lives.
As fans of a good thriller ourselves, we couldn’t resist sitting down with the team of Emeka, Yazmeen and Treci, who make up BlackPen Productions to delve a little deeper.
What can audiences expect from the show?
Treci: The Midnight Caller is a psychological thriller with a pulse of horror running beneath the surface, but the real fear isn’t what’s lurking in the shadows. It’s the quiet dread of being young, overworked, and disposable in a world that demands your everything and offers nothing back. When a late-night shift is interrupted by a mysterious phone call, one woman is forced to confront just how thin the line is between coping and breaking. Haunting, sharp, and unexpectedly tender, the story weaves eerie suspense with biting commentary on work culture, isolation, and the fragile, fleeting connections we cling to when we’re falling apart.
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
Treci: We had the joy of debuting The Midnight Caller at the Old Red Lion’s Freshfest earlier this year. It was such a lovely introduction to the London Fringe scene’s production side and after the feedback we received from audiences, we knew The Midnight Caller couldn’t just be a “one and done”.
What was it that drew you to this show and role?
Yazmeen: I was immediately drawn to how captivating and thrilling the script was – it grabbed me from the first read. As I got to know Fiona, I really connected with her. She’s doing what she can to get by, but she doesn’t compromise her morals, even when it conflicts with her job. That kind of integrity and inner conflict really spoke to me.
What is it about your character that you most enjoy?
Yazmeen: I enjoy how much Fiona grows throughout the play. We all have a turning point moment in our lives where we become more confident in ourselves or we stick up for ourselves and this play is Fiona’s moment.
Treci: I really enjoy and connect with Judy’s playfulness in conjunction with the “ride or die” energy she exhibits towards Fiona and their friendship. It reminded me a lot of the loyalty and camaraderie of my own group of friends.
How challenging has this role been for you?
Yazmeen: I personally can relate to Fiona in a lot of ways, so I think there are a few pieces of myself in her. I think the most challenging part from an actor’s perspective has been trying to command the stage when it’s just Fiona on her own and ensuring she feels as real to the audience as she does to me.
What brought you all together?
Emeka : The three of us went to drama school together, it was always an idea for us to come together to create something but starting a production company wasn’t on our bingo card. But after graduation, we were all feeling eager to create something instead of waiting for the industry, so we decided it was the right thing to do!
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery/set you’d love to have in your show?
Yazmeen: Loads of computer monitors/screens that would flash. Also windows to give the illusion that Fiona is trapped.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
Treci: At GSA, our lecturers were adamant that we not only learn, but become comfortable with creating our own work. Heading into an unpredictable industry, they reaffirmed the importance of being our own producers, writers, actors, and collaborators. Through this advice, we were able to take on the sometimes daunting task of creating our own production company and mounting The Midnight Caller.
What words of advice/encouragement would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?
Emeka: Don’t hesitate, just do it!
Thanks Emeka, Yazmeen and Treci for the chat, thankfully in the daylight so we hope it wasn’t too scary! The Midnight Caller will play at Rosemary Branch Theatre from Wednesday 30 July to Friday 1 August.
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