Chameleon

Chameleon’s trailer, filmed at The Glitch in 2025. Filmed and edited by Isadora (Back On Films).

Writer and Director - Jess Telling

Producer - Gabi McGurk

Research Lead - Sarah J. Nuttall

Photographer - Emily Butler Moor

Hope Rose as Chameleon

James Murison as Snake

Eleanor Butcher as Gecko

This play is an ode to my teenage self.

I initially intended for this play to never see the light of day. It started as a form of catharsis, a way to relearn who I was after my autism diagnosis and come to terms that I had been in an abusive relationship. I chose to write like I wasn’t afraid - even if that wasn’t true - and wrote the play I wish I had seen as an autistic teenager who was going through an abusive relationship, in hopes that if it was seen, it would make one autistic survivor feel less alone whilst raising awareness for emotional abuse and coercive control. I wanted to defy the current autistic representation in theatre and show another side of the autistic experience, one that is unapologetic, messy and women-led and told. 

Nominations & Awards

Logo of Arts Council England, supported by public funding, with a smiling hand graphic making a peace sign.
Logo of the Neurodiverse Review Award 2022 with a laurel wreath and infinity symbol.

Jess Telling - Nominee for ‘The Actually Autistic Award’, Neurodiverse Reviews, 2024.

Recognition for autistic talent at the Edinburgh Fringe, targeting autistic-led acts, productions or shows that are exceptional, innovative and representative.

Nomination badge for the 25th and 26th Fringe Theatre Awards, recognizing lead performance in a play.

Hope Rose, as ‘Chameleon’, nominated for her performance in ‘Chameleon’ at The Glitch in 2025.

Supported by Keep It Fringe logo with dark blue background and white text.

Recipient of the Keep it Fringe Fund, 2024

Reviews

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

— Emma Clarendon (Love London, Love Culture)

The Glitch, 2025.

“Jessica Telling has created a fascinating and thoughtful play that in the space of an hour showcases the fact that autistic people have their own individual personalities and needs and that they are much more than how they are diagnosed.”

“Chameleon does a great job from the start in highlighting just how inclusive theatre can be…”

“Filled with bite and thoughtfulness, it will be interesting to see what happens with Jess Telling’s play in the future – but for now it conveys the importance of stories like these being told and worth catching.”

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

- Lily Massey (EdFringeReview)

Edinburgh Fringe, 2024.

“…the performance is nothing short of spectacular. The script is full of wit, and the ‘inner’ monologue-style delivery from our protagonist, Chameleon, is considered and relatable, making us warm to her instantly.”

“…I found myself forgetting to write notes, being drawn in to their lives and their story, holding back my tears.”

“It is a beautiful work of theatre that handles sensitive topics wonderfully, enabling audience self-reflection and learning. From feeling that she is acting ‘all the time’ to an unapologetic speech on who she is, through showing the characters’ real colours, Chameleon enables us – even just that little bit – to shed the camouflage too.”

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

—Louise Penn (LouReviews)

The Glitch, 2025.

“It’s an important play that threads through humour, music and moments intended to educate.”

“Chameleon shines a light on the vulnerability of autistic women seeking validation and intimacy. It’s meant to be challenging and empowering, without seeking pity for neurodivergence.”

A woman with red hair wearing a colorful dress sitting on a stage, looking with an intense expression, with a man leaning toward her in conversation in a dimly lit setting.
Two children wearing Halloween costumes with a purple and blue lighting effect. One child has a hat with snail eyes and a snail shell, and the other has a hair accessory resembling an octopus or sea creature.
A woman in a green shirt is handing a tray with green containers to a girl with red hair and a colorful tie-dye shirt. The scene appears to be indoors with warm lighting and a brick wall in the background.
Young woman with long red hair, wearing a purple tie-dye dress and jean jacket, standing under purple stage lighting with a dark background, and other seated people visible in the background.
A woman with blonde hair styled in a messy bun, wearing a grey hoodie with red, yellow, and blue striped lining, stands in a dark room illuminated by blue and purple neon lights. She is holding a cigarette in her right hand while her gaze is directed
A young woman with blonde hair and a young man with dark hair engaging in a conversation in a dimly lit room with purple and yellow stage lighting.
Two women sit on the floor in a dark room lit by purple and pink stage lights, engaged in conversation. One woman has red hair, and the other has blonde hair tied back, both appear to be smiling or joking.
Two women sitting on the floor having a conversation in a dimly lit room. One woman has red hair and is wearing a colorful dress, while the other has blonde hair, braided, and is wearing dark clothing including boots. There is a large plant in the fo
A young man with curly hair sitting on a black box, wearing a denim jacket and jeans, under purple stage lighting in a room with dark walls and chairs.
Person with a plush animal hat, sitting on the floor in a dimly lit room with blue and purple lighting, with other people sitting in the background.
Two people with frog hats dancing under colorful purple and red lights, in a dark indoor setting.
Two women are standing back-to-back under purple lighting, each holding a phone to their ear, one wearing a beige hoodie and the other a black shirt with white text that reads, 'NORMAL PEOPLE SCARE ME.'
A woman with red hair and a joyful expression, wearing a white t-shirt and a blue dress, in a room illuminated with purple lighting, with a brick wall in the background, sitting on a chair.
A young man with long hair speaking or singing in a purple-lit room, with a person with red hair in the foreground
A young woman with red hair and blue eyes sits at a table in a dark room, illuminated by a spotlight from above. She is wearing a white t-shirt and a purple vest. Behind her, there is a curved, wooden slat wall. A colorful fabric drapes over her lap,

Audience Reviews

  • This hurt in all the ways that count - it'll make you roar with laughter then wrench your heart and guts like nobody's bloody business. I have never felt more seen. Go and see it this is not a request.

  • I was absolutely floored by their depiction of an autistic woman's experience! As an autistic woman myself, I felt that they hit the nail on the head and so incredibly seen to the point it brought me to tears!

  • A gorgeous show with astute observations, great comedic moments, and a huge heart. Quite a few teary eyes in the house by the end and well- deserved at that! Incredibly promising new writing and fantastic performances of well-defined characters from all three actors. A brilliant addition to the landscape of neurodivergent storytelling that I can see going far

  • This piece of theatre is autistic representation done right a with appropriately autistic lead actress. Hope did a fantastic job displaying Chameleon's vulnerability and courage. As Jess told me after the show, this play comes from a very personal place and I could tell because so much thought and care was brought into the story bringing abusive relationships to light.

  • Beautifully honest, heart-wrenchingly raw. Imbued with humour, Chameleon's masterfully crafted script is actualised by an equally wonderful cast who guide their audience through the multifaceted experience of neurodiversity.

  • This show came at the perfect time in my life. It incapsulated how it feels to be an autistic women in a neurological world so perfectly and made me emotional at times. Would recommend to anyone and everyone!

  • Inclusive, Insightful, Empowering "Chameleon" is a must-see if you or someone you know is autistic. The show beautifully reaffirms that everyone's experience is unique, creating a space where individuality is celebrated. They prepare the audience for sensory elements and provide stickers for those who prefer not to interact-something l've been saying for 2 weeks now that every show to implement but just didn't see how simple it could be until they did it. This performance is a powerful, inclusive experience that resonates deeply.

  • A perfect balance of beautifully raw and fabulously funny. Unwaveringly honest and performed by a brilliant cast - and curated by a wonderful crew. An incredibly considerate performance for those who prefer a relaxed atmosphere.

  • I felt more depth of emotion watching Chameleon than all of the shows I've seen at the Fringe in the past week combined. The performance is superbly acted and directed and the characters all feel intimately realistic (for better or worse). At once moving and hilarious, Chameleon is an excitingly creative and vulnerable portrayal of navigating life as an autistic young woman in an emotionally abusive relationship and the importance of female and neurodiverse friendship.