For Lisa, Dani and Jen the financial pressures of drama school reign supreme. The showcase was everything but as the event looms, it’s importance fades. The minutiae of tuition delivered under scrutiny and constant criticism is exposed. The overbearing voice of the tutor snipes through the speakers. Unseen but damning the actor’s lives are made or broken by the instruction given.
The bubble of performance can be a petty one. Tilly Woof’s play captures this essence; however, the actors themselves aren’t always given enough raw material to demonstrate the respective talents they clearly possess. This is ironic as the exact flaw of a showcase revolves around its inability to adequately sell performers. Woof’s play circles around the quips, bitching and petty arguments that fire back and forth between our sensitively nuanced trio. The playground of tuition reveals attitudes that become increasingly erratic and pointed as interpersonal tensions unravel.
This all moulds into a highly relatable experience for an EdFringe audience (particularly fellow performers) and gives it massive scope for humour and immediate entertainment.
The plays respective laughs derive from structured skits which deconstruct how silly the process of acting can be. Pretending to be ‘melting ice cream’ in all its various states is a great example of the visual light relief on offer. There are many more tableaus throughout the piece that reinforce to the audience just how absurd theatre training can be. Through exploration of these moments, the play finds its most humane moments and this where the piece finds a pulse and resonance.
Three girls heading to the zoo to observe a giraffe, flamingo and monkey for a performance exercise is a show in itself but playing amongst the audience as they discuss creates a quiet intimacy that reflects what this play is really all about; accepting inadequacy and owning the realization that the acting dream might not be everything it’s cracked up to be. A sequence deconstructing headshots further reinforces this; criticism abounds at every step and scrutiny is excessive. Turning up to rehearsals hungover is another well observed moment but it’s limited in its exploration of reality, and this could easily be expanded upon as it’s a core moment of the drama student lifestyle.
As we get to know the foibles and idiosyncrasies of the performers, the audience empathy amplifies. Should the play continue onto other venues, the development of this element is vital as learning about our trio’s personal struggles gives the work it’s moral heartbeat in far greater weight than observational mimicry.
Not everything is perfect in drama school. Not everything is perfect with Drama Girls. The play’s structure would benefit from a reality based subplot motivating the showcase itself and giving it greater dramatic purpose than just the shows’ end point. A live representation of the tutor would also transform this play, Tonally, the voiceover is delivered perfectly but it’s use as a plot device is excessive. The fear that the wrong teacher can create within an actor is vital to represent in a show that deconstructs tuition. Remind yourself of the classic film Whiplash for an example. The right guidance creates marvels whereas the wrong influence decimates performers for life.
If you’ve had the experience of drama school, this play will definitely stir nostalgic memories. For the average audience member, the laughs might be a little too thin for the premise on offer but there is clear talent across this ensemble. The Fringe exists as a proving ground, and this piece knows exactly where it belongs.
Reviewer: Al Carretta
Reviewed: 18th August 2025
North West End UK Rating: