KAREN

Theatre (comedy, character comedy)

  • Babes in arms policy: Babies are not allowed in the venue
  • Policy applies to: Children under 2 years

Description

We open on Protagonist's 30th birthday at the Alton Towers, where her life takes an unexpected turn. Mid-Calippo, she's unceremoniously dumped by her long-term boyfriend, Joe. Things go from bad to worse when Joe then starts dating her office arch-nemesis: Karen. Protagonist must now navigate a powder keg of heartbreak and identity crisis which explodes in the ultimate office showdown. Seamlessly breaking the fourth wall, Protagonist will whisk you through a chaos-filled narrative that has been described as Fleabag meets The Office with Cameron-West as 'the female Peep Show' (TheNerdParty.com).

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General venue access

  • Accessible entry: There are 25 steps into this venue from the cow gate entrance.
  • Wheelchair access type: Not fully wheelchair accessible

  • Stairs: 20+
    Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.

Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info


How and when to make an access booking

Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:

  • Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
  • Requires extra assistance when at a venue
  • Has specific seating requirements
  • Is a wheelchair user
  • Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance

Kevin Coughlin 29 days ago

This was such a fun ride - funny and super interesting how she embodied a few different characters - well done!

Loren Gerlach 30 days ago

Believe the hype, this is a fantastic show!

Catriona Nicolson 30 days ago

Absolutely loved this show. So clever and talented performance plus she wrote it herself!
Funny from start to finish though also sad-full range of emotions but mainly laughter!
A definite go and see. Well done.

Maeva Schollaert 31 days ago

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! My favourite Theatre show for sure, and one of the best shows I have seen overall this fringe (and I have seen many!!). Sarah Cameron-West is a brilliant and incredibly talented performer, her show is unbelievable funny, relatable, and her engagement with the audience makes the experience feel immersive. I would absolutely recommend, and I will probably go watch it again :)

Lou 32 days ago

Love, love, lovedddd this! Karen takes the spot for my favourite theatre show for sure, I highly recommend.

Morgan Thompson 35 days ago

If I were to repeat my Fringe experience and could only see one show - Karen would be it.

Sarah Cameron-West manages to command a stage and engage the audience from beginning to end of this emotional & hilarious roller coaster without ever losing any control of the journey. Fantastic use of lighting and sound design to enhance the narrative while complementing Cameron-West’s facial and physical actions and reactions. Bravo!

Robin Smith 36 days ago

What can I say, Underbelly Cowgate delivers again, with another classic comedy play. Last year Clementine & Coffee Kid stormed to the top of my fringe chart, I didn’t think lightning could strike twice, but Sarah Cameron West’s exquisite performance in KAREN not only blew me away, but the rest of the attendant audience. As we filed out of the theatre space, the crowd bristled and glowed with the excitement of people who have witnessed something special. Sarah’s performance is comedy gold, the show has legs enough to be a stand alone film, and I’d definitely go and see it, should it tour the country. I’m not going to spoil the plot for you, do your eyes and funny bones a favour and check it out sharpish. What are you waiting for, go see it NOW! A comedy drama masterclass.

Orane Stepczynski 42 days ago

One of the best shows at the Fringe (or at least in the 30 I saw)! A one woman show filled to the brim with boundless energy, hilarious mimics and fantastic comic timing! A must see !

LuLu 42 days ago

Brilliant show. SO entertaining. Fast paced and energetic. Sarah's acting fully engages you from beginning to end. This show is a 'must see show' and I highly recommend everyone makes time to go and see it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nic Gordon 43 days ago

So well written and performed! Sarah is so expressive and even though you only heard one side of the conversations she was having she communicated so much. A really funny, grounded and surprisingly moving storyline. Go see it!

MK 43 days ago

A high energy play, so brilliantly acted you feel every emotion and are thankful you aren’t Karen!! The play appeals equally to men and women and the 20 somethings as well as the close to 60 yr olds.

Katy Richards 44 days ago

Truly fantastic and impressive show featuring a performer who is a stunningly good actress capable of holding an audience with little more than lighting and music as foils to act against.

In a lesser actor’s hands this could have been truly uncomfortable to watch but in fact it was an electrifying, raw and funny piece of art. Highly recommend.

Simon Shaw 44 days ago

What am electrifying performance delivered with such energy & never skipping a facial expression, beat or moment!

Congratulations on a stunning show & has been selling out day after day!!

Margaret Evans 45 days ago

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. Sarah Cameron West is a star! A must see show this year.

Julie Tyler 45 days ago

We were persuaded to see this by an extremely enthusiastic flyer distributer, whose love for the show was clearly genuine. We weren't disappointed. This is an outstanding show; highly recommended, I trust it will win awards. Get tickets quickly, while you still can.

Charles C 47 days ago

Wow! Very funny; very emotional; and an extraordinary 55 minute roller-coaster performance by Sarah Cameron-West taking us through the trauma, outrage and eventual resolution of a relationship from which we are eventually delighted to see her escape. Simply brilliantly written and performed.


Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

Broadway Baby (4/5 stars) 26 days ago

Karen is an incredibly strong piece of theatre that firmly establishes Cameron-West as a true professional. An outstanding performer that has firmly made her mark at The Fringe, she is certainly one to watch.

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Theatre Weekly (4/5 stars) 35 days ago

High energy and captivating

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Lost In Theatreland (4/5 stars) 44 days ago

KAREN is punctuated with pop songs which help to keep the audience engaged. This is a great piece of theatre which feels unique and authentic, an accurate depiction of women we don’t see often enough.

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EdFringeReview (4/5 stars) 45 days ago

Karen is a show that I would thoroughly recommend and would, quite frankly, love to see again. A final scene that, without giving too many spoilers, comes full circle (while blasting Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten) certainly solidifies Sarah Cameron-West as a burgeoning comedy genius.

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The Real Chrisparkle (5/5 stars) 47 days ago

Writer/performer Sarah Cameron-West leads us through her character’s hilarious and memorable journey through heartbreak and beyond. A total delight!

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.