Siobhan Healey on Unleashed at Etcetera Theatre
After the success of our 2025 Camden Fringe Interviews, we thought it only right to attempt a repeat for 2026. So throughout July we’ll be publishing new interviews each day to give a taste of what to expect from London’s best fringe theatre festival. The festival starts Monday 3 August this year, so we may give ourselves a couple of days off inbetween the end of the interviews and the first shows… then again, we might not.
You can find out more about Camden Fringe, along with details of every show playing this August here. You can also find all of this year’s interviews as they are published here.
What happens when you pit who you truly are against who society expects you to be? You get something “delightfully uncomfortable,” deeply moving, and undeniably funny.
Heading to the historic Etcetera Theatre this August for Camden Fringe 2026, Unleashed is an intimate, thought-provoking new play exploring the tangled webs of modern shame and identity. Produced by By The Bi Productions, the piece relies on a vital, unpredictable third cast member: the audience.
We sat down with writer and performer Siobhan Healey to chat about bringing the script into “3D,” sharing the stage with an Olivier Award-winning actor, and why your grandmother’s internet search history might never be the same again.
If you had to describe the vibe of Unleashed in just one sentence, what would it be?
It’s been described as “delightfully uncomfortable,” “educational,” “thought-provoking,” and “surprisingly emotional” by our audiences so far, which is exactly what we were aiming for!
Why is 2026 the absolute perfect time for this show to be seen?
Unleashed is fundamentally about shame and identity, and who you are versus who you’re expected to be. It definitely feels like that’s more relevant than ever in 2026 with society feeling so fractured, and when it’s becoming increasingly difficult to have nuanced, honest discussions about what’s actually happening in the world.
How has the script changed since you first put pen to paper?
The core idea has remained the same, but Unleashed has been developed with a very specific directorial lens on it, which has definitely shaped the final script alongside the execution. It’s funny to look back now at the original, static stage directions I’d written and compare those to what the show actually looks like now “in 3D.”
You are working with an incredibly decorated co-star. What has that dynamic brought to the room?
Nathan (Dowling) actually has an Olivier Award! He’d never shout about it himself, so I happily tell everyone on his behalf. It is just an absolute gift to work with him. I’m in total awe watching what he brings to the production from both a directorial and performance perspective, especially as he has so many different characters to play. It’s a real masterclass and a creative challenge to ensure all those distinct characters land so the audience understands exactly what’s going on. Being on stage with him has genuinely helped me up my own performance game!
How important is audience interaction to the structure of Unleashed?
SO important, the show simply doesn’t work without our audience, and they are very much an active part of how we tell this story. Having them directly involved also means that the piece is completely different every single night, which keeps things incredibly fresh. As a performer, you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen next!
If your show was a love letter to a specific person or piece of art, who would it be?
It’d definitely be a love letter to Phoebe Waller-Bridge. There are a couple of deliberate Easter eggs hidden in the show that reference the total masterpiece that is Fleabag!
What’s the weirdest or most unconventional prop in the show?
I don’t think I can answer that without this interview being completely redacted or getting us blocked from all of the social media platforms! It would also be a massive spoiler, so you’ll have to come see it for yourself…
Can you give us a one-sentence “fake” review of the show from your grandmother?
Your grandmother is highly likely to say: “My internet search history will never be the same again.”
What does “success” look like for you this August, beyond just ticket sales?
We want everyone to leave the theatre thinking about something they’d never considered before, or talking openly about something new they’ve learned. We’ve actually put a curated list of resources directly into the show programme to spark conversations about the specific themes we cover, and that approach has been beautifully received by our audiences so far.
Many thanks to Siobhan for her time. Unleashed will play at Etcetera Theatre on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August as part of Camden Fringe.
