Similarly, whilst the bulk of the script explains Sophie’s issues via her nervous enthusiasm, allowing the audience to see for themselves that the clothes are a coping mechanism, the ending is a bit unnecessarily climactic and tidy, and takes away from the likelihood of the story. And I think that’s probably right, you know giving people one off opportunities, and then not giving them anything else, and there’s no sustainability in that. Breathless is such a unique story and one I think will not only resonate but could affect real change in people that see it.

Ben Lyon-Ross, Head of Artist Development at Theatre Royal Plymouth said “Here at TRP we couldn’t be happier to be transferring BREATHLESS into the Soho Theatre, following its massive success at the Fringe last year. There's a delicate balance of comedy and poignancy, and it's clear that the show has come from a place of real truth and care. We do this by creating and presenting a breadth of shows on a range of scales, with our extensive creative engagement programmes, by embracing the vitality of new talent and supporting emerging and established artists, and by collaborating with a range of partners to provide dynamic cultural leadership for the city of Plymouth.There is still so much stigma around hoarding and it remains a very misunderstood mental health condition. The piles of designer clothes Sophie accumulates become towering mountains, impossible to scale so that everyday life can continue. Plays include: Labyrinth Diet, The Space, London 2021, ONCOMM winner; Triptych, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021; Giddy Tuppy, The Space, ONCOMM winner, 2020; This I Believe, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Exeter Phoenix, 2019. I’m a PR at heart so I know that I’m never going to just drop a show and then not do audience development.

Hugh Borthwick, Head of Production at TRP, said: “We’ve had global associations before with other co-producing partners like Ontroerend Goed, and we should feel very proud about that. Over the years I’d had a number of sales and sold things online, but it was laborious, especially when you have thousands of clothes. A woman in her late thirties reckons with a lifetime of clothes hoarding in the London transfer of Laura Horton’s award-winning Edinburgh Fringe hit, starring Madeleine Macmahon and directed by Stephanie Kempson.Breathless is a funny, honest and stylish exploration of the knife-edge of hoarding, from the joy of purchasing new fashion, to the addiction and suffocating shame of having way too many clothes. Two Theatre Royal Plymouth productions that celebrated success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022, are playing to audiences across the world. Working with Pleasance Theatre Trust offers us such a vital opportunity to support artists from the far South West. Actor Madeleine MacMahon not only tells Sophie’s story, but also voices the roles of Jo and other people in her life: her Dad, her Mum, her sister, Kevin (old friend) and Pip, a literary agent. Based on her own experience, Horton’s beautiful script weaves Sophie’s building obsession and life story with the burgeoning love with Jo, whose wardrobe consists of an old school tie, three pairs of shoes (and one on we assume) and the bare minimum of clothing on one short rail.