AMBITION
We want more people to experience life-changing theatre and increase engagement in the arts. We are committed to bringing our work to as many communities as possible and to share information about our unique work with other organisations.
Outside Edge Theatre Company (OETC) is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to addiction recovery through theatre and drama. We’ve been around since 1999, creating hard-hitting award-winning shows and running creative activities for people affected by addiction.
Drama saved Phil Fox’s life. The late writer, actor and director saw the part it played in his recovery and wanted to share this life-changing power with others. So in 1999, he did just that.
His legacy is Outside Edge Theatre Company, a peer-led theatre company and participatory arts charity that uses creativity as holistic support for addiction recovery. We provide the building blocks for this journey with specialist support, creative activities, social events, job opportunities, and volunteering. And along the way we perform in some of the most exciting venues across the country, find friends for life and share hope for the future.
Drama and theatre aren’t just chances to unleash creativity. They dig deeper. People facing addiction can find themselves right at the edge of a precipice. Active participation in creative activities encourages people to take a step in a different direction and carve out a new narrative—to learn coping strategies, nurture healthier relationships, improve physical and mental health, and join a welcoming community. All while having fun.
Compassion
We do not judge participants. Our drama activities employ a personal, asset-based approach to identify pre-existing strengths within service users and the local community.
Creative
We engage with problems creatively and think innovatively about how to use theatre as a tool for positive change.
Effective
We are committed to increasing the efficacy of our services through rigorous monitoring and evaluations to ensure the best results and outcomes for participants.
Responsive
We listen to the needs of participants and our community, empowering them to help guide the direction of our organisation
1998
Outside Edge Theatre Company (OETC) was born on November 26, 1998, when Phil Fox, Catherine Fox, and Geraldine McEwan met to discuss a bold new idea. Driven by Phil’s vision, the company set out to create theatre with and for people affected by addiction. Our first steps were inspired by a deep belief in the transformative power of creativity, setting the stage for decades of groundbreaking work.
1999
By spring 1999, OETC had already staged our first production, Living on the Edge, an interactive drama that toured rehabs and community venues. This tour marked the beginning of OETC’s commitment to community-driven theatre. Later that year, on November 4, OETC was officially registered as a charity, allowing us to expand our reach and strengthen our support for individuals navigating addiction.
2001-2002
After taking up residence in Hammersmith and Fulham’s substance misuse treatment service, OETC’s programme of creative activities began in earnest in 2001, with the launch of the Thursday Night ‘Drop-in Drama’ group. This gave people a chance to connect and express themselves through theatre, taking OETC’s message beyond the stage. In 2002, we toured Sick and Tired, a play devised with treatment centres, creating powerful interactive performances that continued our innovative, community-led approach.
2004-2006
Between 2004 and 2006, OETC expanded our repertoire with productions tackling complex social issues. In Another World (2004), commissioned by Havering Council, addressed domestic violence for young audiences, while Burning Maps (2006) explored global addiction narratives. These productions reflected our growing ability to create thought-provoking theatre that inspired both reflection and action, pushing boundaries while connecting with diverse audiences.
2010
In 2010, OETC paid tribute to one of addiction recovery’s most influential figures with One Day At A Time, a play exploring the life of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson. Performed at Riverside Theatre, this production highlighted the power of lived experience in recovery, a theme central to OETC’s ethos. Around this time, we also piloted our first female-only theatre group, further broadening our inclusive offerings.
2014
OETC faced a significant moment of transition in 2014 when our founder Phil Fox passed away on June 16. His legacy was honoured when Cathy Sloan became Artistic Director later that year. Together with writer/performer Simon Mason, Sloan devised Too High, Too Far, Too Soon, a play capturing the wild adventures of a Britpop-era rockstar, bringing new energy and perspective to the company as we continued to evolve.
2015-2018
In 2015, Susie Miller was appointed Artistic Director and oversaw works like Rockston Stories, a three-week run at Hoxton Hall with OETC Patron Mark Rylance as Associate Director. We expanded our programme of creative activities further with the introduction of Write Now in 2016 under the leadership of former service user Sonya Hale and the foundation of Edge Two in 2017, led by Associate Theatre Facilitator Christopher Holt. Under the leadership of new Artistic Director Matt Steinberg from 2018, the company continued to flourish, with productions like Tumulus (2019) at Soho Theatre receiving critical acclaim.
2019
OETC reached new heights in 2019 with our production of Check-in/Check-out at the VAULT Festival and the launch of the Phil Fox Award for Playwriting, celebrating scripts about addiction. The company was recognised with the Best Arts, Health and Wellbeing Award, a testament to the impact we were making in both the arts and recovery communities. OETC’s creative output was now being celebrated as much as its social mission.
2020
The global pandemic of 2020 forced OETC to adapt quickly. Moving our creative activities online, we launched a blended model of in-person and virtual sessions, ensuring we could continue supporting participants. In a poignant tribute to our founder, OETC inaugurated the Phil Fox Award, reaffirming our commitment to creative expression in the face of adversity. This year also marked OETC’s relocation to Tower Hamlets, a new chapter in our history.
2021-Present
OETC has continued to innovate, launching new collaborations like the Moving Recovery dance group, an intermediate writing group with the Royal Court Theatre and expanding our drop-in drama sessions across London. Productions like Never Be Lonely (2021) and Barefaced (2022) kept OETC’s creativity alive during the pandemic, and we were honoured with multiple awards for our community impact. As we move forward, OETC remains a beacon of hope and creativity, driven by the legacy of Phil Fox and the vibrant stories of our participants.
Want to see the impact of our work in numbers? Check out our Annual Reports for detailed insights into how our unique work transforms lives and brings vital stories to the stage. You can access the reports here.
AWARDS WE’VE WON
We’re proud to be recognised for our contributions to the arts and the health of our community.
Our award-winning work is a testament to the dedication of our team and the transformative power of theatre.
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17/03/2026
Outside Edge’s Big Give 2026
Donate now to DOUBLE your impact!
02/03/2026
March Newsletter
All the latest news and updates from Outside Edge.
06/02/2026
Outside Edge in the Spotlight: Arts and Health in The Stage
Outside Edge has been featured in a recent article published by The Stage, which explores how theatre and performance are being used to support wellbeing, enhance empathy and build bridges between creative practices and health care.
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