[Parent]ified

Aug 14 2026 | By Jenny Collins More

★★★★☆ Authentic

The Speakeasy at The Royal Scots Club (Venue 241a): Mon 10 – Sun 16 Aug 2026
Review by Jenny Collins.

[Parent]ified at The Speakeasy is an underground and understated one woman show with great promise, written by Cosette Bolt and starring Rhona O’Donnell.

This year at the Fringe, new community theatre group Edinburgh Rep Co., have tasked themselves with putting on six shows to represent six centuries, dating back to the sixteenth. In representing our current moment, they have picked from their roster a contemporary and reflective work, [Parent]ified.

[Parent]ifiedEdinburgh Rep Company
Royal Scots Club
Review
EdFringe 2026

Rhona O’Donnell in [Parent]ified. Pic: Edinburgh Rep.

Grounded and human, it is the story of Sissy, now 25, recalling her fragmented adolescence from a broken home. The cost of protecting her little sister, Bug’s, innocence comes at the expense of her own, as Sissy is thrown into a parental role without her consent. Even her name, Sissy – a childlike imitation of the word sister – is a cruel irony.

Covering a range of emotionally raw subjects like suicidal ideation, generational trauma and domestic abuse, the show would run the risk of being exploitative if not for the sincere writing from Cosette Bolt. The work is confessional and intimate. There is no doubt that O’Donnell is able to reach the emotional tipping point. The play’s closing monologue is poignant as O’Donnell addresses the audience, her younger sister and herself with emotional resonance.

The story’s framework is non-linear, recalling key memories from Sissy’s life. This isn’t the case initially, so when the story jumps even further back without warning, it does feel jarring. Likewise, the tonal switch from humour to drama doesn’t always blend, and jumping from one to the other means O’Donnell is tasked with making the landing.

chaos

Sissy’s alarm is set to pop hits of the time to signify the time jumps, but the sound cues need more refinement. They cut out suddenly and leave O’Donnell stranded in their wake. Nevertheless, these jumps in setting and tone succeed in communicating the chaos of Sissy’s upbringing, and O’Donnell is able to land on her feet each time.

Sissy’s younger sister is not physically present. Instead Bug’s primary stand-in is a huggable plushie. Scenes where Sissy protects her youngest sister are an evocative reminder of Sissy’s own morphed innocence, staged with O’Donell, isolated and alone, cradling a cuddly toy. The tension O’Donnell is able to create when her scene partner is nothing but a shirt on a coathanger, is very impressive. The production feels carefully crafted.

[Parent]ified is a worthwhile piece of contemporary writing and performance from Edinburgh Rep Co., hidden away in the Speakeasy at Royal Scots Club.

Running time: One hour (no interval).
The Speakeasy at The Royal Scots Club, 29-31 Abercromby Place EH3 6QE (Venue 241a).
Monday 10 – Sunday 16 August 2026.
Daily (Not Sat): 9.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here at EdFringe.com.

Facebook: @Edinburgh Rep Company
Instagram: @edinburghrepco