I have caught up with the team behind the Lambeth Fringe show DRAMA GIRLS which will be performed at The Bread and Rose Theatre from 24th-25th October 2025.

 

What was the inspiration behind your show?

TILLY (Writer/Actor): The inspiration for DRAMA GIRLS really came from the sudden silence in the months post graduating. I believe young women navigating friendship, rivalry, and ambition, is becoming increasingly more relevant – especially within the arts. 

I wanted to capture a mixture of joy and brutality that comes with growing up alongside your peers. The way support and competition can live side by side. 

It’s about the messiness of female friendship, the hunger to be seen, and the pressure of an industry that does not owe you anything. Think a cross over between a female Inbetweeners and Dance Nation!

 

How long has your production been in progress?

MILLA (Producer): The whole process has taken roughly around a year but the first draft was completed after only 2 months. We quickly went into interviews with directors and contacting venues. The show came from the SHESPEAKS Productions team meeting for various coffees post graduation, and laughing about all the ridiculous memories we held so fondly and I think thats why its been so easy to progress. Everything has been incredibly fast paced, but we are very grateful to be carrying on the process at Lambeth!

TILLY: So grateful! It’s not easy to share new writing so openly, it can be scary and nerve wracking. Everyone suddenly knows what I’ve been obsessing over at 2am. I believe we’re on draft 22 at the moment – which sounds ridiculous. But I enjoy the editing process, I love feedback and implementing that. 

CLAUD (Actor): It’s like we never left training and remained still in the dance studio with these outrageous memories which brought the show to life.

 

Where are you planning on taking the play next?

MILLA: The big next step  would be to take DRAMA GIRLS on tour! We are lucky to have a dedicated Glaswegian director and Northern writer so we would love to take the show around various venues in the UK. This is crucial in the development of the piece in order to discuss an industry that can be hidden or selective.

CLAUD: It feels vital for this show to be seen in overlooked communities, drawing young audiences to the arts.

 

What would you like audiences to take away from the show?

CATRIONA (Director): Although set at Drama School, I think the themes and issues presented can be connected to by any audience member. For those with the lived experience of drama school training, or working in the industry, I hope they feel seen and the play gives them a sense of nostalgia (good or bad). For those who haven’t experienced it, I hope it provides an eye-opener to the challenges, inequalities and barriers that can be faced during training. It isn’t always sunshine and rainbows – I hope audiences feel a sense of admiration. 

MILLA: DRAMA GIRLS has an important goal of highlighting the innate female behaviour of comparison and how this translates to an industry that revolves around competition. CLAUD:  We hope all artists have a moment of laughter and love for the absurdity of arts training, having young women front and centre in a world where they’re often unheard, it is important to amplify their voices! 

 

 

What are you looking forward to most about performing the show

MILLA: We are really excited for new audiences to experience these intriguing, competitive and ridiculous characters.   

TILLY: To get to play with a new audience every night is half the fun as there’s always something fresh to explore, with no show being the same. 

CLAUD: For audiences to relish in relatability and absurdity! There’s really something for everyone.

 

Why did you choose your particular fringe venue?

MILLA: We want to explore the network and the community that The Bread and Roses maintains. It’ll provide a fantastic atmosphere, to be in a room with other creatives, taking storytelling back to a more intimate/comfortable setting which interestingly might contrast with the play’s subject matter.

 

Which shows at the fringe are you planning on watching?

This will be our first time At Lambeth Fringe so we are super excited to explore! Some shows we are planning to see include Educating Rita at Network Theatre, Screaming, Crying,

Throwing Up, Begging to be Loved (Yikes) by Alex Osborne, The Graduates: A Brand New Musical (Golden Goose Theatre), Bianca’s Gay Agenda, Love Me Tomorrow and Dirty Laundry at Bread & Roses! 

 

Have you had any major hurdles to overcome to get this production on stage?

MILLA: As working class creatives, the biggest hurdle has inevitably been finances. It’s been tough to have grand ambitions for the show and have them checked in with our budget or our lack of connection (which we talk about in the show!). However it has prepared us to work strategically and find true support from friends and family, effort which has made the project worthwhile and we have creatively come out with a bang.

 

What other productions have you previously been involved with?

TILLY – DRAMA GIRLS will be my third self written play! Recently performed in Time of War (Alexandra Palace), Released On Licence (Union Theatre) and Education Education Education (Omnibus theatre).

MIA (Actor) – Recent graduate from Emil Dale, Screen debut in I Was Honey Boo Boo (Lifetime) and will be performing in Rapunzel (The Riverfront).

CLAUD – Recently performed a short run of my co-written sketch comedy, Beryl and Bridie at The Union Theatre & currently in works of writing a new dark comedy.

CATRIONA – Fringe Theatre is something I love to get involved in, having been involved in the Edinburgh Fringe for 5 years now! My directing credits include Ordinary Days, Legally Blonde and Kinky Boots (Edinburgh Fringe Festival),I also work with children and young people, and have directed shows including The Wee Mermaid, and Madagascar Jr (Reconnect Theatre). 

MILLA- Assisted event design/coordination at Southwark Playhouse, Production team on The Art of Drowning I am writing my first short film on the downfall of Ophelia.

https://lambethfringe.com/events/drama-girls

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