Theatre / weston studio
Bristol Old Vic welcomes Julia Grogan’s award-winning play on girlhood
Since selling out its premiere at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe, where it went on to earn a slew of critical praise, the success of Playfight has continued apace.
Now, the captivating story of three girls growing up in a world of hyper-sexualisation and exploitation is touring – opening with a 15-day run at Bristol Old Vic’s Weston Studio.
For its author, playwright Julia Grogan, the roots of the narrative were very singular – traced back to the news of a woman who had been murdered by her Tinder date, who had later claimed it was just “a sex game gone wrong”.
is needed now More than ever
“This play came from a very deep place of fury back in 2019,” she recalls.
“I’d never written a play before but I felt so much, I suddenly had the urge to write. Those first 10 pages open the play and have pretty much remained untouched.”
Playfight – photo: Mihaela Bodlovic
At the centre of Playfight is an ancient oak tree, an emblematic constant and a sign of strength amidst the chaos of the girls’ coming-of-age.
Grogan wanted to explore the evolution of their friendship, their nascent desire and the resilience required to withstand the challenges of an adult world in which sexual violence is an ever-present threat.
Playfight – photo: Mihaela Bodlovic
“I couldn’t stop thinking of three girls, who I went on to call Lucy, Zainab and Keira,” she explains.
“In the face of darkness, I wanted to write about their love and their life around the base of a tree.”
The original actors: Nina Cassells, Sophie Cox and Lucy Mangan are reunited for this spring tour, which is helmed by Emma Callander and produced by Grace Dickson.
Playfight – photo: Mihaela Bodlovic
“If someone had told me that it was going to have a sell-out run at Edinburgh Fringe’s Roundabout and then hit these theatres I’d have laughed in their face!,” smiles Grogan.
“I’m absolutely thrilled, full of excitement and joy and I cannot wait for these new audiences to see the magic these three actors make under (Emma’s) spellbinding direction.”
Playfight is at The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic on March 14-29 at 8pm with additional 3pm matinee shows on Saturday (no shows Sunday or Monday). Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
The show is presented by Grace Dickson Productions and Theatre Uncut, in association with Bristol Old Vic.
All photos: Mihaela Bodlovic
Read next:
- Review: Cheeky Little Brown, The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic – ‘A vibrant, energising coming-of-age anti-romcom’
- Review: Dugsi Dayz, The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic – ‘A fizzing, authentic delight’
- Review: There Was a Little Girl, The Wardrobe Theatres – ‘Encapsulates what it means to be a tomboy in the 90s/00s’
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