RIGHT BEFORE I GO
Soho Theatre
★★½
“a tender, candid piece with an important mission”
Following a successful Edinburgh Fringe run, ‘Right Before I Go’ makes its Off-West End debut ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day. This compassionate verbatim piece uses real testimonies to reduce stigma and open up vital conversations around suicide. Though important, its execution could go further to match the strength of its message.
When writer Stan Zimmerman – of ‘The Golden Girls’ and ‘Gilmore Girls’ fame – loses his close friend Kevin to suicide, he turns to people’s final words in search of answers. But when he finally reads Kevin’s note, will he find the closure he’s seeking?
Zimmerman’s highly personal script is part show, part TED talk, part social action, aiming to shed light on the complexities of suicidal ideation through Zimmerman’s own experiences – relayed by Zimmerman himself – and real suicide notes – relayed by the ensemble. Zimmerman’s journey provides a clear throughline, while the testimonies offer powerful insights. Though at times, the sheer volume of material risks overwhelming rather than deepening the impact. The show’s strongest moments explore why suicide disproportionately affects certain groups, including men, the LGBTQIA+ community and military veterans – though further exploration of these issues could drive more lasting change. Hope comes from survivors’ accounts, offering a glimpse of life beyond a suicide attempt.
The show’s real strength is its unscripted post-show discussion, where mental health professionals answer questions and stick around afterwards for one-to-one conversations. It’s a vital extension, turning awareness into direct action. That said, the format could benefit more careful framing, including stronger signposting and more explicit encouragement for people to step out if needed. Yet the immediacy makes the experience valuable, beginning the real work the moment the performance ends.
Director Abigail Morris presents the piece as a staged reading, keeping scripts in hand and staging minimal. While this lets the words speak for themselves, the less polished delivery occasionally blunts the impact. Zimmerman’s personal journey hangs everything together, though perhaps reaches for humour in places when honesty would suffice. Projected names and photographs offer each person a moment of remembrance.
Performed by a rotating cast – around which there’s been some controversy – today features Zimmerman himself with Edward DeRuiter, Emrhys Cooper, Jessica Lia Berry and Lucy Speed. While Zimmerman is better known as a writer rather than a performer, his presence lends the piece an affecting authenticity, making emotional moments especially powerful. The ensemble is a little uneven, perhaps reflecting differing rehearsal periods, though all approach the material with sensitivity and care. Lucy Speed is particularly compelling, bringing warmth, presence and a deep connection to her characters and letters. DeRuiter, Cooper and Berry deliver thoughtful performances, if with occasional uncertainty. Any rough edges, however, are offset by the palpable passion shared by the entire company, especially in the post-show discussion.
‘Right Before I Go’ is a tender, candid piece with an important mission. Though the production could be more fully realised, its work in opening up conversations around suicide feels vital.
RIGHT BEFORE I GO
Soho Theatre
Reviewed on 5th September 2026
by Hannah Bothelton
