Aoife Kennan is an actor and writer. She has developed work through the Royal Court Writers Programme, Masterclass Script Sessions and most recently the Sky Comedy Rep programme with Sky Studios and the Birmingham Rep. Her play, SCRATCHES, was nominated for an Offie and a VAULT Festival Award. Her performance work includes The 4th Country (Park Theatre), C-O-N-T-A-C-T (Aria Entertainment), Victoria (ITV) and the feature film, Blue Jean (BBC/BFI).

SCRATCHES is heading to Arcola, Dalston this November. This raw, brutally honest new play aims to spark conversations around self-harm and mental illness through riotous humour, dance moves and a glitter curtain.

What is SCRATCHES about, and how did you find the inspiration behind it?

 SCRATCHES is a funny and honest new play about a girl in her twenties who struggles with self-harm: it looks at how it has impacted the relationships in her life, how she has tried to hide it and how she is trying to recover. It sounds like the perfect recipe for a confessional one-woman show, but the twist is that her story is told with the help of her best friend who, apart from completely stealing the limelight and playing ALL of the other characters, is there to support her and guide her through. It’s also a true story. The girl is me, and the best friend is my actual real-life friend, Zak. We’ve had to bend the truth slightly at times (annoyingly real life doesn’t play out like you want it to) but it all comes from an very honest place. 

What was the writing process around the show?

I’ve always found writing very therapeutic, and the story began as a way for me to process how I was feeling and what was happening to me at a time when my mental health was pretty bad and I felt really isolated. But when I wrote what is now the first scene of the play, I began to see the dramatic potential and, although what I was writing was objectively sad, it was also weirdly quite funny. And when I started to be more honest with people about what I was going through, I also felt a sort of pathological need to be almost TOO honest and make it into a play. Which has resulted in the weird and wonderful show that is SCRATCHES. 

How has the show changed since its debut at VAULT festival?

We’ve been developing the show since 2019, and it’s always changing. We know it so well now, we have the confidence and flexibility to stop in the middle of a rehearsal and go ‘Hmm. That line? That’s not working, is it? Is there a better way to do that?’ Whether that’s landing a joke, finding a clearer way to tell the story, or sharpening a dance move- we’re always working at refining, refining, refining. 

What do you hope audiences will take away from the play?

 I hope audiences leave feeling uplifted and entertained, but I also hope they feel more able to understand and empathise with an issue that is often surrounded by shame and silence. And I hope people who have direct experience of self-harm feel less alone. I can only speak for myself, but being able to talk about something so difficult in a space that feels safe, but also full of joy and laughter, feels like a huge relief. So I really hope there’s catharsis there for the people who might need it. 

The show addresses some very important themes, but also provides an incredible amount of lightness, joy and fun. What role do you think humour plays in these important discussions?  

I think you can’t have the dark without the light. I also think that even in our darkest moments, human beings will always look for a way to find it funny. Or maybe that’s just me! But I think it’s about showing that these conversations don’t always have to be heavy and serious- we can laugh to cheer ourselves up, to break the ice, and to connect with each other. Which is what the play boils down to, really- talking, connecting and trying to understand each other. But with a glitter curtain and confetti, obviously. 

Are you excited to perform at Arcola Theatre? And where can audiences buy tickets?

I’m so excited! I was at the Arcola on Monday to see another show, and it suddenly hit me that next week I’d be up there myself! It’s such a cool space and there’s a really exciting vibe as soon as you’re in the building. Although I’m always taken aback by how trendy everything is in Dalston! I’m nowhere near cool enough to be there, really… Tickets are on sale from the Arcola Theatre’s website, or from their box office.