Dolly Kanithi on ‘Trapped’ at the 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.
How do you capture the insidious, step-by-step psychological pull of control on stage? For Dolly Kanithi, the answer lay in a bold, unconventional synthesis: combining a fictional investigation into sexual grooming, the fast-paced delivery of a TED Talk, and a personal, metaphorical exploration of living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Making its festival debut at Camden Fringe 2026, Trapped, written by Peter Holloway and based on an original idea by Dolly Kanithi, takes over the Etcetera Theatre this August. Originally developed as Dolly’s MA Acting final project at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), this one-woman tour de force sees a single performer embody eight distinct characters to unpack how grooming and manipulation erode a survivor’s world, and how they ultimately fight to reclaim their voice.
We sat down with Dolly to discuss dialect training, managing ADHD on stage, transforming internal health struggles into dramatic metaphors, and why taking control of your own narrative is the ultimate act of resilience.
If you had to describe the vibe of Trapped in just one sentence, what would it be?
The vibe of Trapped is an intimate, emotionally charged psychological journey that draws audiences into a woman’s fight to reclaim her voice. It comes to life through rapid character transformations, minimal staging, and a performance that places storytelling at the heart of the experience.
What inspired you to create Trapped, and how does your personal background connect to the plot?
Trapped is not based on a direct personal experience of sexual grooming, but it is metaphorically inspired by my own journey with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). During one of the most difficult periods of my life, OCD became something I experienced almost as if it were another person; manipulative, controlling, and constantly convincing me that my fears were the truth. That experience of psychological manipulation became the emotional foundation of the play.
Rather than telling my own direct personal story, which would be very difficult for me, I wanted to create a fictional narrative that explored how manipulation can take many forms and how people find the strength to reclaim their lives.
The idea to explore sexual grooming came after watching Lolita, The Reader, and reading David Harrower’s Blackbird. I was struck by the psychological complexity of grooming and began researching the subject in depth. That research, combined with my own understanding of manipulation alongside my experiences with ADHD, depression, and anxiety, inspired me to write Trapped; a play exploring vulnerability, courage, and resilience.
Why did you decide to frame the production as a TED Talk?
I wanted a context that would explain and justify the seamless, rapid shifting between characters to tell the story of the protagonist, Jane. A TED Talk format felt ideal because it gives a natural, direct-to-audience setup for presenting an analysis of a survivor’s perspective.
Why present this narrative as a solo show with eight characters?
I wanted to make it a one-woman show for two reasons. First, to challenge myself, as I’ve never done something like this before. Second, I feel such a sensitive topic is handled best when delivered directly from the perspective of the survivor herself.
How challenging has this made the show for you?
During rehearsals for the shorter version at LIPA, the vocal demands were so intense that I lost my voice for a week. It taught me the crucial importance of vocal technique, stamina, and looking after my voice while performing such a demanding piece.
This has been the most technically challenging role I’ve ever taken on. Playing eight different characters means switching between distinct accents, voices, physicalities, and personalities in a matter of seconds. I had to learn several new accents with a dialect coach, but the real challenge was making sure each accent belonged to a completely different person with their own rhythm and vocal quality.
Another challenge was controlling my natural pace. I have ADHD and naturally speak quite quickly. At early scratch performances, I was constantly encouraged to slow down so the audience had time to absorb the story.
Emotionally, the process has actually been therapeutic. Every time I perform it, I’m reminded not only of how far I’ve come with my own mental health journey, but that I’m growing stronger every day.
What is the best piece of advice you received during production?
Because of the show’s sensitive nature, I felt a heavy responsibility. My director, Sowmya Maheswaran, told me to just be present and enjoy performing. In early rehearsals, I had forgotten my primary duty as an actor: to actually enjoy the work! Stepping into the room, present and focused without overthinking, lightened the pressure tremendously.
What do you hope audiences take away from seeing Trapped?
I wanted to explore how grooming happens gradually and affects not only the individual, but also the people around them. Theatre allows us to experience different perspectives to encourage empathy and conversation. My hope is that audiences leave reflecting on the importance of recognising manipulation, listening without judgment, and supporting those affected.
What comes next after Camden Fringe?
I really want to take Trapped to the Edinburgh Fringe next year! Beyond that, we’ll see where the journey leads.
Many thanks to Dolly for the chat. Trapped will play at Etcetera Theatre on Sunday 16 and Monday 17 August.
