Some Riot theatre's new play is a rollercoaster of love, loss and the passion and pain of being young that hooks you from the first word, makes you fall in love with it then breaks your heart in the process.
I honestly cannot recommend this show enough, and you owe it to yourself to head down to the Assembly studio and get Glitter Punched
The story follows Molly, a young teenager from Manchester just starting college, filled with typical teenage anxieties about her attractiveness and intelligence. There she meets the mysterious, brooding and exotic John. He's from London, and through him she discovers the soaring highs and crushing lows that a first love brings.
Despite Molly’s frequent protests throughout that she's bad with words, through her diary her inner thoughts, fears and dreams are revealed in some of the most beautiful scenes of writing I've seen at the festival. The script achieves the seemingly impossible in imbuing the language with poetry and lyricism whilst never making it sound overtly wordy or inauthentic for the character. Each and every expression of love, fear, hope and hate feels like it's coming from the depth of Molly's soul and by the end the audience can see her as one of their closest and best loved friends.
This is further bolstered by the simply superb powerhouse performance delivered by Em Stott in the title role. Despite the show being a double hander the bulk of the work lies on her, as Molly, to narrate the story and bring the rest of the characters to life. Through the charm, strength and at times painful vulnerability of her performance she is more than able to do it. This of course is not to say anything against Anthony Fagan, who delivers a fabulously brooding and measured performances as Molly’s lover John.
More than any of the above, however, what makes this show special is how completely it enraptures you within the mindset of its young protagonist. We with Molly all the way as she experiences love got the first time, and in the moments of sheer bliss she experiences we share in it with her. This truly is a spectacular beautiful show that will likely leave you torn and emotionally reeling by its tragic and pointed end.
I honestly cannot recommend this show enough, and you owe it to yourself to head down to the Assembly studio and get Glitter Punched yourself this Festival Fringe.
