Mimi Martin Brings the 2019 Hong Kong Protests to the Stage in ‘Youth in Flames’

Writer/Performer Mimi Martin makes her solo Edinburgh Fringe debut with Youth in Flames – a thrilling production set during the 2019 Hong Kong protests and inspired by Martin’s own experiences. Youth in Flames follows a teenager caught between privilege and resistance. In this interview, she reflects on flawed protagonists, writing from distance and why confronting shame on stage might just be the most honest choice of all.

Youth in Flames is rooted in your own experiences during the Hong Kong protests. What made you want to turn that into a one-woman play?

I didn’t originally set out to write a one-woman play—it actually started as a three-hander, then became a two-hander. But as I continued writing, I realised the voice I could most authentically articulate was the one I was a part of. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely took creative liberties when writing Millie but what surprised me the most, was how quickly I was able to conjure up her ignorant and sometimes bratty sensibilities. It sort of disgusted me. But I thought, if I’m ashamed of that ignorance, then maybe there’s something worth exploring here. Nobody's perfect. So I think it’s far more compelling to tell a story where the protagonist is flawed, because that’s where real connection happens.

We relate to the parts of ourselves we don’t want to talk about—the messy, imperfect sides. And that’s what made Millie’s perspective feel so powerful and necessary.

Millie’s journey is emotional and intense. How much of her character is drawn directly from real life?

When I reflect on my teenage years in Hong Kong, there are definitely things I chose to gloss over—it felt easier to pretend that everything was normal rather than confront what was really going on. I was a rebellious teenager and often found myself in difficult situations—sometimes by my own doing, and sometimes not.

This story isn’t a direct retelling of my life, but Millie’s journey reflects a narrative that was very present in the city. She’s an expat child trying to forget everything rather than face the realities around her—and that mindset was something I saw often, and sometimes experienced myself.

How does distance affect how you reflect on the protests?

Distance has given me a clearer perspective on the protests. After moving back to the UK, I was struck by how little many people knew about Hong Kong’s history, despite its colonial ties to Britain. Even more troubling was realizing how filtered and limited the international coverage of the protests had been. When you're immersed in the moment on the ground, it's hard to see how the rest of the world is perceiving it—or how much of the story is being lost. We live in an age of increasing media censorship, which makes it hard to know which sources can truly be trusted. From outside Hong Kong, I now feel better equipped to tell a more honest, uncensored version of events—one that reflects the reality of what Hongkongers went through.

What do you want people who’ve never been to Hong Kong to take away from the show?

I never want to tell an audience how they should feel or what they’re supposed to take away from the show—every experience is personal, and each person will connect with it differently. That said, I do hope it leaves people wanting to learn more.

While I want to leave an audience entertained, the story is rooted in truth. It’s about a fight for democracy that many Hongkongers are still living through today. I hope audiences discover the city's uniqueness, connect with the heart of the narrative, and ask themselves: What would I have done in the face of adversity?

As this is your solo Fringe debut – how are you feeling about taking the stage alone?

I’m genuinely really excited. I’m always up for a new experience, and the Fringe is such a major milestone for any actor. It’s the largest arts festival in the world—a melting pot of artists with unique stories to share!

Although it’s a solo show, I don’t feel like I’m taking the stage alone. I’ve got an incredible team behind me who believe in the show just as much as I do. Without my creative team, the show wouldn’t be what it is today—this has truly been a fantastic collaborative effort. Edinburgh is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Youth in Flames.

Youth in Flames will be performed at 7pm in ZOO Playground from 1st – 24th August

For tickets and more information, visit: https://zoofestival.co.uk/programme/youth-in-flames/