Review: Playfight at Soho Theatre, London – A Raw, Witty Coming-of-Age Tale

★★★ and a half

Three actors dressed in school uniform on and around a ladder — The girls and the 'tree'. Photo credit Mihaela Bodlovic

Julia Grogan’s Playfight at Soho Theatre, London is a compelling exploration of adolescence, friendship, and the tumultuous journey into adulthood.

With its minimalistic staging — a single pink ladder symbolizing the girls' meeting point of a high tree — the play relies heavily on the strength of its performances and sharp dialogue to captivate the audience.

The narrative follows three friends — Keira, Lucy, and Zainab — over a decade, capturing their evolution from schoolgirls to young women. Sophie Cox delivers a standout performance as Keira, whose candid recounting of losing her virginity at 15 on a tennis court complete with plasters on her knees, is both humorous and heartbreaking. Lucy Mangan portrays Lucy with a blend of naivety and depth as she wrestles with her religion vs boys, while Nina Cassells' Zainab is both introspective and assertive, navigating her identity with grace.

The chemistry among the trio is palpable, their interactions oscillating between playful banter and intense confrontations, reflecting the complexities of teenage friendships. There was a lot of entering and exiting the stage at often a frenetic pace, which left me feeling a bit exhausted by the end of the show.

Grogan's script is laced with wit, capturing the awkwardness and intensity of adolescence. A favourite line of mine was, "Men always know what they are doing" when the girls are discussing sex.

However, the symbolism of the nightdresses worn by all three characters, intended to mark transition, felt ambiguous and could benefit from clearer context. I did wonder if all of the girls were dead at that point, instead of the one.

Despite this minor confusion, Playfight is a poignant portrayal of growing up, marked by stellar performances and insightful writing.

If you've ever been a 15-year old girl, this will have many relatable moments.

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