Tethered, Rosemary Branch Theatre
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Unchained Theatre Company‘s Amelia Whitrod and Lucinda Davidson bring Tethered to Rosemary Branch Theatre, following a successful debut at this year’s Brighton Fringe. It’s a new one-act comedic drama that sets out to ask “if there is only one way to love, or if the way most of us have been taught is only one colour of the rainbow.”
Tethered plays at Camden Fringe on 1 and 2 August, tickets here. But before they get to London, we caught up with Amelia and Lucinda to explore the show a little more.
What can audiences expect from the show?
Amelia: ONE and TWO are happy. Ridiculously so. But when TWO realises she might be capable of loving more than just ONE, both women are forced to decide between their own needs and the relationship they thought would be their ‘forever’.
Tethered is a comedic two-hander, exploring polyamory, queer motherhood, and grief. The show follows two women going against social norms to discover who they are and interrogate what they need, whilst navigating an open relationship, differing boundaries, and geriatric pregnancy. It explores the societal taboos surrounding ethical non-monogamy, queer parenting, and women who don’t want children. It asks what happens when we stop listening to one another, and especially to ourselves. Tethered is a fast-paced, naturalistic script with a few gut punches, vibrant lights, and pulsing music. Come along for the party.
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
Amelia: Tethered debuted at the Brighton Fringe in May. We only had two tickets left on the matinee, and sold out the evening show, so 58/60. Brighton is where both of us live, so we were excited to debut the show in our home city, where I began writing the piece. We had great audience reviews and feedback and are so excited to bring it to new audiences in Camden. We lived in London for five years before Brighton, and both of us still work in London, with friends, family, and communities based there too. Both Fringes are brilliant festivals to platform new work, and Camden brings a huge range of audiences, from those who never see theatre, to the ones who see everything; looking forward to sharing this story with them.
How long have you been working on the play?
Amelia: This is my first play. I began writing it in 2024 at a playwriting course run by Rising Phoenix Arts Collective and tutored by writer Philip Ayckbourn. I was later showcased at their Brighton Scratch Night, and last December, a script reading was held to an invited audience at The Park Theatre in London, which was instrumental in re-writes and further development. Our Brighton Fringe rehearsals began with a weekend of R&D, and further minor edits were made during rehearsal. We have arrived at the script performed at the Brighton Fringe, however, I am always open to in-the-room suggestions, improv, and re-writes, ensuring it serves the characters and the story as best as possible, so there will likely be another edit or two before our Camden shows.
What was it that drew you to this show and role?
Lucinda: The naturalism and rhythm of the writing in terms of the synchronicity between the two characters really spoke to me. When you have two women in a relationship, they sync up in such a magical way and I don’t think I’ve ever seen that actually written down on paper before. The goofiness and vulnerability of TWO really drew me to the role. Also her somewhat erratic rhythm reminded me of me(!) so I found that really fun to step into and play around with. Her fascination with love really interested me; trying to live outside of the social norms that are put on us and seeing how that can fit into a queer relationship. It’s a modern day chic flick. I just wish stories like this were around in the naughties when I needed them the most!
What brought you all together?
Lucinda: Well…In the spirit of the play, one actor MAY have had a meet cute with the director over a Margarita after a show and soon found out that the beautiful magnetism was actually a creative one. Meanwhile the fiancée of said actor had written show and wanted a director and so they thought… lets all put on a play together, what could possibly go wrong? Turns out nothing, it was magic and perfect and meant to be.
Being a fringe festival, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you got around this with your set and props?
Amelia: Our company are very focussed on sustainability. Our costumes are all our own wardrobe and are pre-loved clothes. All of our set and props are pre-used items from our homes, including the ottoman which is our main set, acts as a table, a sofa, our bed, and a coffee shop bench. It holds all of our props, including a small rug – also from home – that creates the home space for the characters. We use one glass wine bottle, as well as to-go coffee paper cups from our lives that are reused and recycled once the show run ends. We use low energy camping light bulbs for ease of finding our props during blackouts and have printed our props and scene list on the back of scrap paper from our house. We have kept the piece minimalist and versatile. The set/props/costume are able to fit in the boot of a car for travel, storage at theatres during hectic Fringe seasons, and with a view for potential touring.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run – for you or the show?
Amelia: We are currently applying to theatres around the UK to be considered for potential season programming, and are have also applied for Applause Indoors 2026. First, though, Tethered will head to the Tramshed Theatre in Woolwich as part of a double bill on 15 August at 9pm (tickets here).
If you had to describe your show as a colour what would it be?
Lucinda: Purple. Because it’s a mix of two great colours that make an even greater colour.
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery/set you’d love to have in your show?
Both: A revolving platform for transitions, to denote passages of time, to aid retrograde physicality ONE and to play with pace as the characters go through turmoil, joy, and heartbreak.
Is there a question missing that you feel we should be asking you?
Both: What animals are your characters?
ONE: An indoor cat
TWO: An outdoor cat
Thanks to Amelia and Lucinda for the chat. Tethered plays at Rosemary Branch Theatre on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 August.
