★★★★★ ‘There is not a false note anywhere. I’ve never seen – heard – anything like it.’ The Observer

★★★★ ‘The experimental comes gloriously to life, with a performance that has an element of music about it’ The Times

★★★★ ‘A superb staging, this version of the dazzling book achieves the same lingering power using a quartet of actors’ The Guardian

★★★★ ‘A meticulously choreographed vocal performance - terrific cast and mesmerising sound design’  Independent

★★★★ ‘Rebecca Watson’s novel works magnificently on stage. Miriam Battye and Katie Mitchell have turned 24 hours inside a frenzied mind into something like a piece of music’ Evening Standard

★★★★ ‘A virtuoso articulation of a remarkable piece of writing’ Time Out

★★★★ 'A rhythmic and psychological audio experience in which Mitchell plays with artistic control' WhatsOnStage

★★★★★ ‘A breathtaking exploration of trauma’ The Stage

★★★★★ ‘Blisteringly honest and unflinchingly intimate, little scratch is extraordinary – and indispensable’ The I

 Adapted from Rebecca Watson’s ‘daringly experimental debut’ novel (Guardian), little scratch is a fearless and exhilarating account of a woman’s consciousness over the course of 24 hours. The charged narrative records in precise detail her impressions of a deceptively ordinary day - the daily commute, office politics and a constant barrage of texts on WhatsApp – and as the day goes on, she gradually starts to unveil the trauma of a rape that is consuming her. Exploring how the human mind internalizes, distracts, and survives the darkest moments, Katie Mitchell, with sound score by Melanie Wilson, brings Miriam Battye’s adaptation to compelling life.

Trigger Warning: We present entertaining and original theatre, and we want you to have the best experience possible. We understand that, as part of this, some audience members may appreciate additional guidance on the content of our plays. Click here for more information.

Rebecca Watson is one of The Observer’s 10 best debut novelists of 2021 and was shortlisted for this year's Desmond Elliott Prize.

Miriam Battye makes her Hampstead debut. Recent credits include Scenes With Girls at the Royal Court, Big Small Lost Found Things at Bristol Old Vic and All Your Gold at Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Katie Mitchell returns to Hampstead Theatre for the fourth time, having previously directed Say it with Flowers, small hours and The Trial of Ubu. Other credits include When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other and Cleansed (National Theatre), Orlando (Schaubuhne, Berlin) and Lesson in Love and Violence (Royal Opera House).

The cast features Morónkẹ́ Akinọlá (The Niceties, Finborough Theatre), Eleanor Henderson (Pass It On, Lyric Hammersmith), Eve Ponsonby (Longing, Hampstead) and Ragevan Vasan (Name, Place, Animal, Thing, Almeida).

Our promise to you

In the event of little scratch being postponed, you can choose between a full refund or credit to be used for any show at Hampstead.

Hampstead Theatre is delighted to open little scratch following Government advice. As always, our audience, company and staff are our top priority. For more information about how we’re keeping you safe, please click here.