If you want to see a playful cabaret-comedy with an impactful story for 2026 FRINGE WORLD, you will love SKINNY.

Michelle Pearson, backed by a dazzling four-piece band, confronts society’s obsession with weight and beauty standards. Funny, heartfelt, and relatable, Michelle declares enough is enough! It’s time to ditch the never-ending battle with scales, diets, shapewear, and the obsession with losing just a few more kilos.

Through vulnerable retellings and reenactments of personal anecdotes, we get to know Michelle. I became more and more immersed in her story as the show went on. From recounting the snide remarks from family members as a child to surgeons suggesting life-threatening procedures, Michelle delivers a raw and personal but confident performance.

Michelle’s vocals demand your attention and the emotion in her voice was all the more captivating. She seamlessly moves from these stunning vocals to spoken storytelling, backed by the groove of the band. The band excellently soundtracks each moment, whether that be the cello taking centre-stage for suspenseful moments or the cheery piano jumping in for sillier ones.

The show implements several other perspectives of people who have struggled with their body image, serving as a reminder that no one is alone in their battle with societal body standards. SKINNY succeeds in balancing the difficult struggle with body image with laugh-out-loud comedy. If you’re able to check it out, I encourage you to sit toward the front. If you are lucky, like my friend was, you might get to help Michelle zip up her jeans!