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“Room 29 delivers a raw and resonant Dear Evan Hansen, filled with vulnerability, soaring vocals, and moments that stop you in your tracks.”
Directed by Neil Lavin
Edinburgh Amateur Theatre Premiere
Room 29 deliver a moving and emotionally charged production of Dear Evan Hansen in Edinburgh, blending standout performances, modern digital design, and heartfelt vocals. This amateur theatre premiere explores themes of anxiety, grief, and connection with sensitivity, offering a compelling interpretation of the award‑winning musical.
🧵 What’s it about
Dear Evan Hansen is a contemporary musical about loneliness, connection, and the desperate human need to feel seen. It follows Evan, a socially anxious teenager whose well-intentioned lie spirals into something far bigger than he ever imagined — forcing him to confront grief, guilt, and the possibility of hope.
🎭 Performances
Sebastian Schneeberger as Evan delivers a beautifully vulnerable performance, grounding the show with powerful vocals and a portrayal of anxiety that feels painfully real.
His Words Fail is a masterclass in acting through song — raw, exposed, and deeply human. He captures Evan’s contradictions with honesty, making him an antihero you can’t help but empathise with.
Emma Clarkson as Zoe brings gorgeous, crystalline vocals paired with a complex emotional undercurrent. Her performance in Requiem is goosebumps‑inducing — a mix of hurt, confusion, and longing that lingers long after the number ends.
Harrison Owens as Connor brings a magnetic presence to the role, balancing sharp humour with an undercurrent of complexity. His performance in Sincerely, Me is an absolute highlight — charismatic, playful, and packed with clever physicality that keeps your eyes glued to him throughout. He nails the comedic beats without losing the character’s edge, making the number both hilarious and unexpectedly layered.
Bethany Dunion as Alana shines with a performance that’s peppy, comical, and vocally stunning. She brings vibrant energy to every scene, capturing Alana’s earnestness and intensity with warmth and wit. Her vocals are beautiful and confident, leaving you wishing she had even more stage time — a true standout in the ensemble.
Eilidh Todd as Heidi delivers an emotionally rich and deeply affecting performance. She captures the quiet exhaustion and fierce love of a mother doing her best in impossible circumstances.
So Big/So Small is beautifully understated — tender, aching, and full of delicate nuance that holds the audience completely still.
The ensemble elevate the production with rich harmonies and emotional depth, especially in You Will Be Found, which swells into something powerful and communal.
🎨 Staging & Design
Room 29’s use of screens and digital graphics feels modern and purposeful, echoing the online world that shapes Evan’s story. The visuals help build the atmosphere of isolation and connection, bringing the musical’s themes to life in a way that feels fresh and well-considered.
💬 Final Thoughts
Room 29 deliver a powerful and poignant production of Dear Evan Hansen — one that balances humour, heartache, and hope with sensitivity.
While Evan is a famously complex antihero, Sebastian’s performance brings a relatability and softness that makes his journey all the more affecting.
This premiere marks a strong moment for Edinburgh’s amateur theatre scene: bold, emotional, and full of heart.
Written by Suzzi Hirst
⚠️ Content Advisory
Dear Evan Hansen contains references to: mental health struggles (anxiety, depression) suicide grief and emotional distress Some scenes may be intense or upsetting for certain audience members.
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