"Boiling Frog" is a new play, originally written for film in 2020, and reworked in 2026 as a one woman stage play. 19 year old Bella embarks on a Gap Year to escape her difficult family relationships by working on an organic farm in Australia. After being caught up in the horrific Black Summer Bushfires of 2019/20 she begins to suffer severe PTSD trauma. Returning home to the UK, she is desperate to deal with her eco anxiety and heal her psychological wounds. With her world turned upside down, Bella joins Extinction Rebellion and her life begins to open up in unexpected and wonderful ways. The play contains references the climate crisis, eco anxiety and related mental health issues, politics, the food industry, veganism versus meat and dairy, and Extinction Rebellion/protest movements. Running time approx 55 mins
Theatre
55 mins
Pump House Colne River Room
Suggested: 18+
Contains adult language 
World premier 
Jo Emery Productions:
Jo Emery Productions was created by Jo Emery in 2019, to launch her playwriting career. Jo's first show was the self penned "Rough Sleeper", staged in January 2020, which went on to win great acclaim and many presentations throughout 2020 including at Watford Fringe, and again in 2025 at Chesham Fringe. Jo's second play, "Boiling Frog" was first presented in 2022, as a film/theatre hybrid. Now, it returns as a one woman show rewritten for Watford Fringe in 2026. Jo trained in Actor Workshops at RADA and the RSC, and also in Directing at the RSC, between 2008 and 2018. She has worked as a Theatrical Creative Artist - Actor, Director, Producer, Playwright - presenting modern, classic and Shakespearean plays, with 13 different theatre companies over the South East and London since 2002. Acting credits: 44 shows. Directing credits: 26 shows. Writing credits: four plays. National Fringe Festival credits: 6.
Jo has her own theatre company, Jo Emery Productions, go to www.joemery.co.uk for her full theatrical CV.
