Following the stories of Arabella, Zoe, Hazel and Ruby, four members of a hit noughties girl band, Girl Pop! brings to the Fringe a nostalgic celebration of female power, music, dancing and relationships.
Set around the basis of Girl Pop!’s reunion tour, this is a tale of how one fictional ensemble rose to fame. It’s a vibrant immersion into the world of celebrity life and the challenges women face as pop stars.
The four artists bring an incredible energy to the stage, beginning the show with their impressive opening number. Songs that nod to groups such as the Spice Girls, Girls Aloud, and Destiny’s Child continue throughout the performance, cleverly placed to complement the narration.
As we follow the cast from first auditions to becoming official members of Girl Pop!, the show humorously explores how the media can both enhance careers and leave a lasting impact, with the group being the subject of various far-fetched rumours and accusations, and the members hounded by paparazzi.
All four singers are strong and able to hold their own, with the narrative taking its turn through each different character’s life and their respective struggles. The audience gets an insight into a world of bossy managers, jealous band mates and female artists being pushed into different boxes.
The show moves effortlessly from sequence to sequence, highlighting key moments in the band’s career, such as Girl Pop! performing at a charity gala and The BRIT Awards, as well as an appearance on daytime TV.
Writer Kiran Benawra (who also plays Ruby) and director-producer Sophie Cairns do a good job of mixing comedy into the script and staging, developing personas that are easy to identify with as an audience. However, there are moments which do feel like missed opportunities, with some jokes not as successful as they could be.
Girl Pop! is an hour of glitter, magazine covers, unique songs and synchronised choreography. A particularly good choice for those who grew up engrossed by pop bands, this is a feel-good and entertaining watch.
