Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube (with subtitles) – Applied Theatre Podcast

In this episode, Shane Shambhu, (Creative Director of Altered Skin), Shireenah Ingram (Actor and founder of Red Lens) and I spoke about the creation of When We See Ourselves, a multidisciplinary theatre performance exploring intercultural relationships, diaspora, hierarchy and identity.

We reflected on how the piece began in 2019 as an inquiry into DNA, evolution and shared human origins, before developing into a deeply personal examination of anti Black sentiment within South Asian communities. Through a contemporary love story, the work engages with the legacy of eighteenth century botanist Carl Linnaeus and his racial classifications, questioning how historic systems of categorising human beings continue to shape present day prejudice and power structures.

Shane and Shireenah shared insight into their collaborative rehearsal process, built around a living script that moves fluidly between text, movement, music and design, drawing on Bharatanatyam and contemporary theatre practices. A layered and evolving work, this is a piece that invites audiences into reflection, connection and ongoing conversation.

We also explored what it means to define British theatre today, and who holds the authority to shape that definition.

When We See Ourselves tours in early 2026 with performances at:

Derby Theatre - 28th February

Proteus Creation Space in Basingstoke - 3rd March

Arena Theatre Wolverhampton - 5th March

Touchstones at Rochdale Ukrainian Club - 12th March.

Book Tickets: https://alteredskin.org/project/when-we-see-ourselves/

Altered Skins Links:
Website - https://alteredskin.org

Instagram - @alteredskincic

Applied Theatre Podcast:

X - @Apptheatrepod

Instagram - @AppliedTheatrePod

Email - [email protected]

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts and Youtube (w/subtitles) - Applied Theatre Podcast

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