Skinned
10 August 2026
Etcetera Theatre
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
Skinned had a short 2 show run at the Camden Fringe on 10 and 11 August. The show, co-written and co-directed by Aoife Parr and Kirsten Grinstead, explores an interesting perspective on sexual assault. Set in an interrogation room, this one-hander presents an HR representative faced with turbulent consequences she can’t quite wrap her head around. When she is assaulted by a co-worker after a Christmas party, she slowly unravels the previous cases of assault allegations she has let slip throughout her years at the company.
The show still feels a little rough around the edges, though the basic structure is definitely compelling. It will need a little more development to tighten up presentation and timing to bring out its full potential. And the potential is definitely there!
The story explores how victims of assault are treated, by authorities, by work, by themselves. How narratives get twisted and motivations questioned, how different reactions to traumatic experiences are used against survivors and spun into new narratives.
There’s a lot going on as the story unfolds, with flashbacks and forwards, those these are easily distinguishable through lighting and sound differences. The structure does feel a little chaotic still but has the capacity to be smoothed out to maximise the emotional effect of dark revelations and dramatic accusations.
This early showcase is definitely very promising for this urgent, emotional show that will definitely grow into its own with a little more development.
