Stripperz marks a significant evolution of Dawes’ writing with complex, multi layered scripts developed across five distinct episodes over 250 slides. It follows two of the academic’s former squeezes as she challenges each in turn to undress and impress a range of sophisticated female audiences. Raging egos are soon stripped bare as the author’s forensic deconstruction of each character’s performance provides an intoxicating backdrop for the hysterical comedy whilst evoking a disturbing glimpse of power and the anatomy of abuse.
The series culminates in the surreal crucible of ‘Burlesque’ where a mild-mannered amateur performer is ruthlessly abandoned within a small theatre packed with unforgiving misandrists. This is trademark Dawes, it leaves the onlooker gripped by a deep sense of unease, wondering where next the author might dare to lead.