Soho Theatre has announced that it will reopen this summer with exhilarating new play and Verity Bargate Award winner Shedding A Skin, written by Amanda Wilkin.

A story for our times, Shedding A Skin is a solo play about finding kindness in unexpected places, moments of connection, intergenerational friendship and joy. Directed by Elayce Ismail (GIRLS), this marks the first new play to be staged live at the venue since the pandemic.

Wilkin (Emilia) also performs in this solo play. She said he wanted to create a universal story that was “intrinsically hopeful” and “speaks to people no matter what gender, colour or age”. She also added: “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what I’d want to see when I go back to the theatre and I want belly laughs and to feel invigorated.”

Ismail comments: “It’s rare to find a story that has weight and depth but is ultimately very joyful and positive. The friendship at the heart of Shedding A Skin is so beautiful and poignant. It’s the unsung moments that happen between people in real spaces that are the fabric of our lives and they can be just as informative and important as the big wider world stuff.”

The Verity Bargate Award is Soho Theatre’s flagship new-writing award, sponsored by Character 7. It received 1493 entries last year of which Amanda Wilkin’s spellbinding play captivated the Award’s readers and judges, and was announced as the winner in October. 

Shedding A Skin runs in Soho Theatre’s Main House from 17 June-17 July. 

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.