Sunny Jie Liu has taken some time away to talk to me about the upcoming play coming to Lambeth Fringe Neither Here Nor There at Golden Goose Theatre,146 Camberwell New Rd, London SE5 0RR on 29 September 2025 7:00 pm.

 

What was the inspiration behind your show?

The inspiration came from our own lived experiences and the desire to share them with others in hopes of building a community where mixed-race, second-generation immigrants, third-culture, and international individuals are seen and considered. Our story is not unique, and it felt imperative to make that known—many others face similar struggles with identity.

This subject matter is not often explored in depth, and through developing the play we’ve met people who can relate to at least one aspect of the story and, in doing so, come away with a deep sense that they are not alone in this. It’s important to bring these stories out of the margins and into public discourse, so that those unfamiliar with the experience can learn—whether that means becoming more curious about themselves, or, if they don’t share in the experience, becoming more curious about others.

 

How long has your production been in progress?

We first had the idea in 2022, but it didn’t fully take shape until the beginning of 2025. The subject matter required deep thought and self-examination, so we weren’t in a rush to stage it. Timing is everything, and we wanted to give the story real credence. That meant allowing more life experience to unfold—so that the telling could be richer, more authentic, and reflect who we had become as more fully lived individuals.

This year, we also met more people from the community and, in commiserating over shared struggles, were able to fully conceptualize a story that we believe honors the community in the way it deserves. For the past seven months, we have challenged ourselves—creatively, emotionally, and physically—to create something that serves a greater cause. It has been years in the making, but this year we truly allowed ourselves to dive in heart-first and be braver in our storytelling than we ever anticipated.

 

Where are planning on taking the play next?

The play will be staged at The Playground Theatre as part of the Voila! Theatre Festival this coming November. We feel incredibly fortunate to be participating in these festivals, as they’ve given us greater opportunities to share this story with a wider public. Our dream is to eventually take it to The Royal Court and The Young Vic, as both theaters champion new writing and emerging artists—something we deeply admire.

 

 

What would you like audiences to take away from your show?

We want the audience to leave reassured that there are others who share their sentiments—their feelings of dislocation, disjointedness, or disconnection. That might be disconnection from themselves, from places they don’t fully recognize as their own, or from places that don’t fully recognize them in return. Every individual experience carries its nuances, but there are also common threads: none of us are exempt from loneliness, confusion, or disappointment.

When given the chance, I believe we can discover what is shared alongside what is uniquely ours. I want the audience to leave feeling a little less lonely and isolated. I want them to find one another, to commiserate, and to build a sense of community together. My hope is that the show sparks connection to counter all the disconnection we so often face.

Put simply: we see you, we hear you, and we understand.

 

What are you looking forward to most about performing your show?

We are most looking forward to meeting more people—whether or not they share the experience. Human to human: can you connect? Can you find resonance and interest in a story that isn’t entirely your own?

We’re also excited to challenge ourselves in the telling of this story by leaning into the comedy, and the masks we all adopt when faced with the realities of getting by. Our first run of the show carried a heavy emotional weight, but this next performance will embrace more levity—sharing stories the way we all often do: with a carefully curated exterior and a soft, emotional core.

There can be no light without dark, and no dark without light—the same is true of tragedy and comedy.

  

Why did you choose your particular Fringe venue?

 

We know this venue from a Sunny’s previous collaboration and performance there, so it feels familiar to us—a comforting thing when working with such deeply personal subject matter.

 

Which shows at the Fringe are you planning on watching?

 

The Immigrant Play by Taraash Mehrotra speaks to the immigrant experience, and we’re interested in seeing how it grapples with the subject matter. The line, “It asks the question whether anyone can ever be a good immigrant in a country that doesn’t value immigrants,” caught our attention immediately. The question is not only thought-provoking, but I also think it’s a necessary one to explore.

Have you had any major hurdles to overcome to get this production on the stage? 

I think challenges arise with every production, and this one was a learning curve for us in many ways. First, finding the right crew was imperative—especially crew members who could relate to the subject matter in some way. A personal interest or connection to the themes meant greater collaboration and richer contributions to the creative process.

It was important for us to have open discussions about what worked and what didn’t, because we wanted to give credence to the story and honor the community as a whole. Focus groups were invaluable, as various mixed-race and second-generation immigrants read different versions of the script and provided critical insight on areas that might not have been strong enough.

Adding comedic elements to the play was also a challenge, given that the stories are emotionally charged and heavy at times. Finding the right balance became an ongoing pursuit.

 

What other productions have you previously been involved with?

Pangu- Immersive Physical Theatre

Sunny- Marketing Manager

Edinburg Fringe 2022 Auguest

Paradise Green Theatre

Sell-out Show

 

Here Comes Gudong

Sunny- Cast – Monkey

Blackheath Halls 2023 January

Sell-out Show

 

The Pillow, The Sun and The Dinosaur

Sunny – Cast – Dinosaur/Mom/ Doctor

Goden Goose Theatre 2025 May

 

Here Comes Gudong

Sunny – Cast – Mythical Tortoise

Edinburg Fringe 2025 Auguest

theSpace @ Symposium Hall 

Keep It Fringe Award

Best Family Show 2025- Theatre Weekly

 

A Journey to the West

Sunny – Producer

Camden fringe 2025 July

Rosemary Branch Theatre & The Playground Theatre

Four-star performance – Sounds Behind Curtain

 

Eclipse Ballroom

Sunny- Producer

Camden Fringe 2025 July & Auguest

The Courtyard Theatre & The Cockpit Theatre

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