FANGIRLS, Lyric Hammersmith Review

The cast of FANGIRLS. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Written by Philip for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.

The performance will feature strobe, flashing lights, low smoke, haze and loud music throughout.

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Ever been so madly in love with a popstar that you have a poster on the wall? That’s minor compared to this! FANGIRLS tells the story of Edna, a 14 year old misfit who is in love with Harry, a member of the biggest boy band on earth! So in love, she decides that when on a tour of her home city of Sydney in Australia she must save him. But save him from what you might ask? This is a hilarious story of grit and determination and of course the consequences of your actions. 

Edna and her friends, Jules and Brianna, are huge fans of boy band Heartbreak Nation and their lead singer, Harry, in particular. Along with every other teenager in the world. But Edna loves him more than most. She feels connected to Harry but not as a popstar - as a person. She believes he is unhappy in the band and is trapped, even going as far as to say he has depressed eyes. She sees a similarity between her life and his and comes up with a plan to help him escape his life of captivity and sadness. The plan of course has disastrous consequences and hilarity ensues.

One of the best things about this show is just how funny the writing is. Yve Blake writes the book, music and lyrics for FANGIRLS which is an incredible feat. The wittiness of the book and lyrics are key to FANGIRLS success and are indeed very clever. They feel authentic. Saying the first thing that comes to your head without really thinking about it first. You are laughing and smiling from start to finish as you are swept up in a brilliantly bonkers adventure. The music is perhaps not quite as memorable, lacking a sufficient ear worm. However, it doesn’t take too much away when you are giggling over the words being sung. The pace of the show slows down somewhat in Act 2 with a couple of moments where momentum is lost however things do pick up again towards the end.

Ash J Woodward has designed some brilliant visuals for this madcap adventure. They work extremely well by giving additional focus to the digital side of celebrity and how the internet and social media play such a huge role in the rise and fall of a celebrity. The video design works well in conjunction with Jessica Hung Han Yun’s lighting design. It helps to transport you from place to place and for a particular moment to what feels like an actual concert. 

The cast are so exciting! There are so many stand out moments and performances in FANGIRLS. Jasmine Elcock leads the cast as protagonist Edna. She is fizzing with life. You see every thought and every choice. She is funny and zesty and understated. Definitely one to watch. Debbie Kurup as Caroline, Edna’s mum, gives a shining performance flitting between heartfelt songs and the words of a loving mother to incredible dance moves within the ensemble. She takes every role and smashes every single one! Thomas Grant plays Harry with the good hair. He completely embodies a certain boy band member from a well known band. Every move is slick and smooth and hugely exaggerated. He is cheesy, charismatic boy band perfection. Mary Malone and Miracle Chance play Edna’s friends Jules and Brianna respectively. Malone is absolutely hilarious as Jules. She is uptight and abrasive and completely captivating. Her comedy timing is on point. Chance’s Brianna grows into herself. You watch her grow in confidence and fierceness as the show progresses. She is strong and challenges her friend on her rude and abrasive nature. Chance beautifully plays the growth of the young Brianna. A special mention goes to Gracie McGonigal for every scene stealing moment she has. They are few and relatively far between but gets her chance to soar through her high notes and generally lose the plot as Lily, a fan of Harry’s.. She grasps every opportunity to make the audience love her. 

It’s madcap and fun and doesn’t take itself serious. When all is said and done, Fangirls is a stonkingly good, zany and bonkers musical. I would love to see it have further life after its run at the Lyric Hammersmith and would personally be very surprised if it doesn’t! Run and get yourself a ticket now! 

FANGIRLS runs at the Lyric Hammersmith until 24th August.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆