Girlhood, Lion and Unicorn Theatre
For Camden Fringe 2025 we are attempting to reach 100 interviews to highlight as many of the shows performing as we possibly can. Every day we will publish new interviews, so do keep coming back to see how close to our target we can get. You can find all our Camden Fringe interviews here.
Ruckus Theatre, a company dedicated to creating feminist work, presents an honest and raw exploration of the complexities of being a woman in their Camden Fringe debut: Girlhood – a fun, heartfelt and vibrant show full of real-life stories and interviews. We caught up with them to find out what we can expect.
What can audiences expect from the show?
Audiences can expect a show that’s as fun and playful as it is powerful and poignant.
What makes Girlhood a unique piece is that it’s rooted in real voices. It doesn’t pretend to have all the answers—but it creates space for the questions we’re all asking. This is feminist theatre that feels fresh, fearless, and urgently relevant. You’ll laugh, you might cry, but most of all—you’ll see yourself reflected on stage.
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
Girlhood is Ruckus Theatre’s debut production and Camden Fringe is its very first outing on stage. We chose Camden Fringe because it’s known for being bold, diverse, and full of energy — exactly the kind of work we’ve created.
What was your inspiration behind the show?
We were influenced by the headphone verbatim technique, developed by Anna Deavere Smith and Mark Wing-Davey in the 90s, where performers listen to recorded interviews and speak the words verbatim. We believe women’s voices are often silenced or overlooked, our goal was to create a space where female narratives can be heard.
How long have you been working on the play?
We’ve been in development since late January. Due to the verbatim nature of the production, a crucial part of shaping the play has been conducting interviews with women to gather their experiences.
Is this version how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
We weren’t sure what to expect, but it’s been much more emotional than we thought. It’s been extremely empowering being able to interview women from all walks of life and listen to their experiences.
What is it about your character that you most enjoy?
What I enjoy most is that we’re not playing traditional characters — we’re multi-roling as the various women we’ve interviewed. We’re a vessel for the real words of the women we’ve interviewed
How important is audience interaction to you?
While the show doesn’t have any direct audience participation, we hope the play sparks conversations that extend beyond the theatre and encourages dialogues that discuss the important subjects we’ve touched upon.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run– for you or the show?
We’d love to take the show to other venues and continue the conversations it sparks. We’re currently developing a children’s theatre production that places a feminist spin on classic fairy tales.
Who would play you in the Hollywood adaptation of your future autobiography?
Meryl Streep – she’s a girlboss
If you had to describe your show as a colour what would it be, and why?
The obvious answer would be pink — it’s feminine, fun, and full of energy.
If your show had a soundtrack, what songs would definitely be on it, and why?
It would be a playlist of empowering female anthems, like Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like a Woman! , Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 , and Britney Spears’ Stronger.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
The best advice I’ve received is to be bold and take risks. This advice has really helped us shape Girlhood, by not being afraid to push boundaries.
What words of advice/encouragement would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?
Just do it! It’s a great opportunity to learn, grow and take risks.
You too can feel empowered by getting along to the Lion and Unicorn theatre between Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 August. Follow the link below to book tickets.
