*** (3 stars)
“A Musical with real Potential”
Daf Hughes written “Girlz” debuted at the 2025 Fringe Festival having been developed via workshops in 2023 and 2024 and now an updated but still abridged version of the show comes to the 2026 Festival playing at the Gilded Balloon Doonstairs on Chambers Street.
It’s only fair to say that on the day of review there were major technical issues with the house opening nearly 15 minutes late followed by two show stops, which meant the show finally went up with a 30-minute delay. That being said, the stellar cast and production team proved that no matter what the show must go on and my word did they triumph.
Girlz tells the story of a 5-piece girl band (think Spice Girls crossed with All Saints) put together by a Simon Cowell knock off Dan Cashman but there is a cost to be paid for the price of Fame facing up to addiction and relationships tested to the limits and rather refreshingly this musical looks at the human side more than the glitter of fame. Performances are excellent across the board with Meggie Hughes leading the company in style as “Nicky” as really her journey the story revolves around.
While the storyline may have a moment or two of predictability at its heart there is human and beautiful story at play. The abridgment of the show means that the story does feel rushed, however it’s a musical with real Potential and does leave you wanting to see the full 100-minute version of the show.
Girlz provides an entertaining 65 minutes of musical fun with great direction from Katy Weir and sharp Chorography from Simone Mistry-Palmer lets hope the technical issues are smooth out as the show beds into its run and may the Girlz pack the audiences in Doonstairs at the Patterhouse!
Girlz, The Fringe, Doonstairs at Gilded Balloon Patter House Runs Until 30th August for more information go to: GIRLZ | Edinburgh Festival Fringe
ScotsGay Arts 