Review: Girl Kisser, Lion & Unicorn Theatre

Girl Kisser bursts onto the stage with an energy that’s impossible to resist. Set against the buzzing backdrop of East London’s music scene, this gig-theatre piece immerses you in a whirlwind of beautifully played guitar music, singing, and the exhilarating realities of young queer love in 2026. Emily Ambrose’s lyrical writing, paired with the magnetic performances of the cast, brings vibrant, authentic voices to each role.

What makes this play truly compelling is the depth of its characters. Each one feels fully realised, their desires, fears, and friendships resonating long after the lights dim. It’s this richness that leaves you wanting more – the show’s running time feels almost too short for the layers of life and love it reveals.

The cast’s chemistry is remarkable, making it feel as if they truly know and trust one another off stage. Every interaction – whether a heated argument, a nervous confession, or a shared laugh – lands with authenticity because of the ease and connection between the performers. There’s a natural rhythm to their movements and dialogue, a sense that these five characters have lived these experiences together for longer than the show’s running time allows. Beyond the surface, the performances carry layers of subtlety: a glance, a gesture, or a pause often speaks volumes about unspoken emotions. I was particularly struck by how each actor handles their monologues, which feel deeply personal and lived-in.

It’s clear that Ambrose’s writing, combined with the cast’s dedication, creates moments that resonate as though they’ve been drawn from the diaries or notes apps of real young queer people navigating love, friendship, and self-discovery in today’s world. These portrayals encourage the audience to care, laugh, and ache with the characters in equal measure, creating an immersive emotional experience that lingers long after the final curtain.

Girl Kisser is a heartfelt, honest portrayal of contemporary youth, offering the kind of LGBTQ+ representation we so rarely see depicted with such nuance and accuracy in mainstream media. It doesn’t rely on stereotypes or clichés; instead, it celebrates complexity, joy, vulnerability, and desire. Watching it, I felt a mix of nostalgia and excitement, imagining how vital a play like this would have been to my teenage self, offering guidance, hope, and reassurance as one navigates the daunting but thrilling realities of early adulthood.

Beyond the personal resonance, the play also captures the broader cultural moment: East London’s music scene, the struggling nightlife in London, and the challenges faced by young queer adults trying to carve out spaces for themselves. This combination of authenticity, energy, and representation makes Girl Kisser feel both urgent and timeless.

I left the theatre wishing I could linger in this world a little longer, to dive deeper into their relationships and see how their futures unfold. I can’t wait to see what Ambrose and this talented cast create next.

You can read more about this show in our recent interview here.

Written by: Emily Alice Ambrose
Directed by: Rose Barwick & Hollie Milne
Produced by: Izzy Macpherson

Girl Kisser has completed its current run.