Girlz stormed the stage at Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026.
Perhaps I should have known from the title alone that this musical would be right up my street. But as I took my seat in leopard-print trousers and Nicky (Meggie Hughes) walked on stage wearing hers, I knew this show was likely made for millennials like me.
Set the scene, Nicky is auditioning for the world’s next girlband and little does she know how much her life is about to change, both on and off the stage.
The crowd are taken on a whistle stop journey from auditions to world tours with the newest pop phenomenon but it’s not all as it seems for any of the five girls. Their corrupt manager Dan Cashman (Lee Docherty) has money to make and nothing is going to stop him making sure the girls are having ‘FUN!’.
This may sound like a X-Factor style girlband rags to riches fame storyline but, as with any good musical, there are unexpected twists and turns along the way. Beneath the pop-infused premise, the story tackles weightier themes including mental health, addiction, sexism and the impact of the media on celebrities.
Fellow girlband member Alex (Tamara Tare) provided impressive vocal depth throughout, particularly in her solos with such a poignant subject that managed to strike a nerve and leave a tear in your eyes. Whilst the ‘edgier’ member of the band with her eyeliner and guitar Charlie (Abigal Wiltshire) held her own throughout including an unexpected yet memorable country-esque solo. Dani Mirels and Zoe Antoniou characters brought a playful energy, adding another dimension to the girlband dynamic with characters I’d love to know more about.
Alongside the girls, Nicky’s boyfriend Adam (Tom Baines) delivered a strong solo performance that had you sympathising with his character, while Lee was perfectly cast as the villain, effortlessly provoking resentment and eyerolls every time he stepped onto the stage.
As the story unfolds, each character reveals there is more to them than first meets the eye. With more to explore, their individual storylines could be given even greater depth in a fuller version of the show – one that already exists in a 100 minute format according to the leaflet given out before you take your seats. Sign me up!
In true Fringe style, the group makes incredibly clever use of the show’s minimal props and staging. Girlz deserves a much bigger budget with backdrops, setting and a crew to make it shine brighter in its full 100-minute glory.
Girlz strikes the perfect musical balance, combining slick choreography and songs that are heartwarming, poignant, joyful and singalong worthy. Some songs are there to leave a mark while others are so instantly catchy they’re stuck in your head. By the time you leave, you’ll wish you could put the soundtrack on.
It’s fast moving, but somehow remains immersive at the same time. When Girlz walk on stage and shout “Hello Edinburgh!” during their ‘world tour’ the crowd momentarily forgets this isn’t a real pop concert and starts whooping and clapping along. Another testament to the girl’s stage presence is that you leave feeling you empowered by a girlband that doesn’t even exist.
This show is ready to become a full-blown production and it absolutely deserves to.
It felt as though this show offered a rare chance to witness something special in an intimate setting, leaving you with the sense that it won’t and shouldn’t stay that way for long.
★★★★★