Scratches at the Arcola Theatre unfolds as a vibrant kaleidoscope of confetti and humour mixed with raw, brutal honesty, delving into the complex territories of self-harm and mental health. In her confessional comedy, Aoife Kennan bravely navigates the role of GIRL, maintaining a façade of control whilst grappling with vulnerability.

Entering the downstairs studio space feels akin to a champagne-infused karaoke bash, surrounded by golden foil fringe curtains, a chair and a mic. Kennan’s energetic opening kicks us off into a one-woman show that quickly evolves into a dazzling two-hander with Zak Ghazi-Torbati, the fabulous BEST FRIEND, creating a captivating narrative within a narrative that unravels GIRL's struggle.

In her fun purple suit, Kennan’s performance brings depth to the character. Her projection of control contrasts with poignant moments of self-harm, referred to as “the thing” in the play—a coping mechanism in her struggle for composure. The play adeptly captures the intricacies of maintaining a facade while grappling with internal turmoil. Kennan's fast-paced, witty writing is very relatable. It brings laughter and tears, dances and confetti, heartfelt moments, and lots of fun to the world of GIRL. It's a warm and sweet approach to a heavy topic.

Ghazi-Torbati's charismatic performance adds layers of humour. The fun audience interaction invites us into their friendship. His multi-rolling portraits of different characters in GIRL’s life brings brightness to the subject, and with occasional singing (he certainly has a great voice), creates a delightful balance of comedy relief.

The play's inventive format, seamlessly shifting between storytelling, cabaret, role-play, and confession, injects a sense of excitement. However, we feel caught off guard when the bursts of intense emotions comes. We wish there was more of an emotional build up. While the play touches on various relationships, the exploration could go deeper. The narrative focuses heavily on reactions from close relationships without delving into their depth. We wish to laugh and cry with the character by understanding how much these relationships mean to them. Specifically in GIRL's relationship with her parents, a significant factor in her breakdown, could benefit from more nuanced exploration. Similarly, BEST FRIEND rejoining her on stage is impactful, yet it is a shame that the depth of their friendship remains largely unexplored.

Gabriella Bird's direction adeptly balances joyfulness and darkness, shedding light on the hidden corners within vibrant personalities. Showing us that anyone, no matter how bright and cheerful they are on the outside, could have a dark corner inside that just needs a little more care. Though we truly enjoy the play's ambitious storytelling, we wish to see a stronger connection and progression between incidents.

It is wonderfully brave for Kennan to explore a topic like this, especially when it is so closely related to oneself. Scratches emerges as a daring exploration of a profoundly personal journey. It brings up important subjects that people are afraid to talk about, yet Kennan delivers it with ease, laughter, and honesty. The play is a testament to Kennan's courage. With such a bold topic and a great concept, it’s a bit of a shame that the show, very much like its name, merely scratches the surface. But perhaps the itch is what leaves us wanting more.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Diana Feng

Scratches plays at London’s Arcola Theatre until 11 November, with further information here.