Split Ends
I LOVE YOU BUT YOU MAKE ME WANT TO CUT MY HAIR. The thing about split ends is that as soon as you cut one off, somewhere else on the head, another strand of hair will split. Cut, split, cut split, ad infinitum. Claudia is consumed by her split ends until she falls in love with a Vacuum, an actual Vacuum, who happened to be the hairiest thing she’d ever fallen in love with. A thing that made her want to pluck her arm hairs, wax her legs and cut her hair. The Vacuum would shed his hairs, leave, disappear, reappear, shed, tell her he loved her, tell her he lied, leave, shed, appear, shed, malt, love, lie, cheat, shed, shed. Claudia cut hairs, plucked hairs, vacuumed hairs, hunted hairs, waiting for him to pull the plug on what they had because she couldn’t. In an exploration of coercive control, love and the addiction to people who hurt us, this five star production which is “as raw as they come” attempts to understand when we are meticulously in control or incredibly out of it. Critically acclaimed tragi-comedy, SPLIT ENDS follows the story of a woman who falls in love with a Vacuum. Using physical theatre, puppetry and multi-media, this ‘Sarah Kane Rave’ explores control and abusive power disguised as love.
- Rating: 4 / 5 (13 reviews)
Reviews
- Benjamin Walsh — ★★★★★ (5/5) — May 28, 2026
This was phenomenal. Claudia is such a captivating performer, with remarkable control and presence. She approaches unsettling themes with subtlety and wit, effortlessly navigating between moments of light and dark. A really clever, original and deeply affecting show. It is constantly engaging. Don’t miss this one! - Henry Schoen — ★★★★★ (5/5) — May 20, 2026
Claudia is a tour de force. Amazingly honest at conveying the most difficult emotions in a really moving way. I was truly captivated. A really powerful and clever performer. She is destined for big things. - Lisa Oakes — ★★★★★ (5/5) — May 19, 2026
Honest & raw storytelling. Great use of props. - Xander Ross — ★★★★★ (5/5) — May 19, 2026
Ho. Ly. Crap. The way Claudia was able to balance humour, absurdity, performance and vulnerability is second to none. Someone get her an award. - Natalie Collins — ★★★★★ (5/5) — May 16, 2026
As someone working to address men’s violence towards women and girls, I was hugely impressed with this performance. Funny, moving and powerful, Claudia captures the trauma and confusion of an abusive partner causes. I would highly recommend the show, and would encourage those wanting to raise awareness of men’s coercive control to bring this show to your awareness raising events. - gez greenwood — ★★★★★ (5/5) — May 13, 2026
A brilliant expose of the impact coercive control. A must watch. ❤️ - Debbie Beeks — ★★★★☆ (4/5) — May 13, 2026
This show captures the reality and absurdity of how shit insecure lovers trap us in their entitlement and the wrekage they create. We've all been there, I only wish I'd seen this show before I had. Told in a mesmerising way, physical, funny and unusual. - Jo House — ★★★★★ (5/5) — April 28, 2026
Excellent. Funny, intense, brutally honest. - Peter Scales — ★★★★★ (5/5) — April 19, 2026
While you may often encounter solo shows based on real-life stories and struggles, it is rare to find one as visceral and captivating as this. The control of body, voice, and space was astonishing, and the integration of mixed media felt flawless. As powerful performance from an exceptional storyteller! - Phoebe Patience — ★★★★★ (5/5) — April 18, 2026
This really hit hard, super raw, honest and confronting and everything laid bare, and just so well done. You are so impressive. Thank you - John Smethurst — ★★★★★ (5/5) — April 9, 2026
Reminded me of the RedRoom at the end of Twin Peaks with less horror! Black hairs was hilarious. So sustained. Very playful. - Klaire Doyle — ★★★★★ (5/5) — April 9, 2026
Brave and honest. A strangely comforting performance for those of us who have experienced cruelty. - Sarah Louise Coogan — ★★★★★ (5/5) — April 9, 2026
Very well acted and thought provoking subject. Really enjoyed it, well done Claudia