Review: Girlz, Fringe 2026

Girlz has plenty going for it. There’s an enjoyable story, some catchy songs and a cast who clearly know how to put on a show. But while I had a good time, I couldn’t quite shake the feeling that I knew what was next.

For a Fringe musical, I’m always looking for that little something unexpected, something that makes a production feel distinctive. Girlz comes close, but for me, it doesn’t quite get there.

Story

The story follows a girl group navigating the highs and lows of trying to make it in the music industry, with friendship, ambition and the pressures surrounding young women in the spotlight all forming part of the journey.

I liked the story and, more importantly, the message behind it. There is something worthwhile in the way the show explores what happens behind the glamour of being in a girl group.

My main issue was that I could often see where things were heading.

There are moments where the production appears to be building suspense around what is coming next, but I found that the way these moments were set up sometimes made the outcome more obvious rather than less. Instead of wondering what would happen, I occasionally found myself waiting for the thing I already suspected to happen.

Performance

Vocally, there is plenty of talent on display, and the group numbers are where the production really comes alive. The songs are enjoyable and the choreography adds plenty of energy, creating the feeling of watching an actual girl group perform.

There were also some good individual moments from the cast, although I didn’t come away with one particular performance that completely blew me away.

The production clearly has a talented company behind it, and with a little more room for the individual characters and performers to develop, I think there is potential for even more to come through.

The Fringe factor

This is ultimately what kept Girlz from being a four-star show for me.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with it. I enjoyed the music, liked the story and appreciated what it was trying to say. But at the Fringe, I’m always looking for something that makes me think, “I haven’t seen this before.”

Girlz didn’t quite give me that.

The girl-group concept is familiar, and while the show has its own characters and themes, I didn’t feel it pushed the idea far enough to make it feel completely unique.

That doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the show. It is a fun musical with plenty of energy and a message worth hearing. I just wanted that extra spark of originality.

Final thoughts

I enjoyed Girlz and I’m glad I saw it.

The songs are fun, the cast have plenty of ability and there is a worthwhile story underneath the music and choreography. I particularly appreciated that the show has something to say rather than simply using the girl-group setting as an excuse for a collection of songs.

For me, though, some of the suspense was a little too easy to predict, and the familiar premise meant it didn’t have quite the individuality I look for from a Fringe show.

It’s a good, enjoyable musical, I just wanted it to surprise me a little more.