Review: Sexy Lamp by Katie Arnstein

“The Sexy Lamp test. If you can take out a female character and replace her with a sexy lamp and the story still basically works, maybe you need another draft” – Kelly Sue Deconnick

Like many young women with a passion for acting and a heart full of dreams, in her early 20’s Katie Arnstein moved to London in order to peruse a career in show business. Armed with her check list and a positive view of the industry, Katie soon learns that named, speaking and fully clothed female roles are pretty hard to come by.

In this autobiographical production Katie takes audiences on a journey through her experiences, and begins to shine a light on the unspoken misogyny within the acting industry. At times your heart will break for Katie, you’ll share in her in pain and you’ll relate to your own similar experiences, and yet this isn’t a melancholy show.
Yes Sexy Lamp is filled with brutal honesty, but it’s also filled light comedy and a beautifully empowering energy. The industry could have easily broken Katie, but instead she’s stepping out and speaking up. She’s raising the bar for all females and showing us exactly what is possible when we realise our own value. Due to this, I think Sexy Lamp is the most empowering production I have seen this year.

With a run time of an hour and Katie speaking directly to the audience, the show reminds me of Phoebe Waller Bridge’s Fleabag. Both shows have the ability to make you cry in sorrow, but also in tears of laughter. This is a fantastic production and one I think every aspiring actor/ actress should be watching.

To read our interview with Katie about the inspiration for Sexy Lamp and performing to a digital audience for the first time click here.

Stream Date: 23/04/2021
Available: 01/05 – 05/05/21
Cast: Katie Arnstein
Tickets: £10.00
This review was originally posted on CentreStage
Images courtesy of Jason Drake